Claim: Birth Control Causes Cancer

Question

If you use birth control, you might be wondering whether it affects your chances of getting cancer, IUDs, birth control pills, birth control shots, and others raise or lower your risk.

Comments

Certain forms of birth control can be linked to a lower risk of some cancers. Research done in the article says that birth control pills can reduce ovarian cancer risk by up to 50%. This research was done by the National Cancer Institute, an official government website, which I checked and had the same findings. Similarly, hormonal IUDs may help prevent or even treat early-stage cancers, which I also found to be true at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center's official website

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I like the source you used for this factcheck, but overall I think the title can be very misleading, especially because you didn't add prior information from the article. I think next time if you added more information it would've strengthened this fact check, as well as finding different articles to further support this fact check.

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Although this has been proven false, you don't seem to be exactly claiming what the original fact check does and neither does the article which makes this a little misleading. Along with that WebMD is always the best source to use in these and can often be an unreliable source on some topics. I would've found a better source and perhaps changed your original claim a little.

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I agree that cancer can be caused by a variety of factors, so crediting it to a single product like birth control isn't entirely accurate. I thought your explanation did a good job of showing the risks of products like birth control while also showing some sources for more accurate lists for the risks associated with the medication.

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This article is very helpful in answering the claim of if birth control affects the chances of getting cancer by explaining the different side effects in some common birth control methods. The article is also medically reviewed by a qualified doctor which can help better support the claim. I do think it is a little misleading because it only talks about some forms of birth control and shares concise information on only some of them. I do agree with the claim that birth control can cause cancer because I have seen outside sources that also support this claim, but I don’t think this article is the best example to support this claim.

Answer 1

This claim is misleading and exaggerated. It states on the National Cancer Institutes website that while birth control doesn't prevent cancer, it doesn't directly cause it either. It also makes similar claims to the ones you made. While you did touch on the subject that taking oral birth control pills can very slightly raise the risk of breast, and cervical cancer (if taking a specific brand), it can also lower the risk of having endometrial or ovarian cancer. The article you had linked doesn't give context to the different kinds of birth control and what they might do.(it is important to talk to your doctor and go through the side effects of certain birth controls with them)

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/hormones/oral-contraceptives-fact-sheet

Answer 2

The claim provided is a bit exaggerated and misleading. The article states that some oral contraceptives can increase your risk of cervical or breast cancer. That risk can be increased if women continue to take them after the age of 40. The reason the chance CAN be increased is because estrogen and progesterone can cause these cancers. The contraceptives utilize man-made versions of them, and high levels of these hormones are known to increase risk. However, contraceptives have also been found to decrease the risk of multiple different cancers such as endometrial, ovarian, etc. Another article by the National Cancer Institute backs up the article provided; they state, "risks of breast and cervical cancers are increased in women who use oral contraceptives, whereas the risk of endometrial, ovarian and colorectal are reduced." So technically, yes, birth control can increase cancer risk, but it is not a super high percentage, and it is typically oral contraceptives that are of the highest risk.

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/hormones/oral-contraceptives-fact-sheet

Answer 3

while I do believe there could be truth behind this claim, I also think its a big one to make on just once source, I feel when you want to make a claim this big you need more evidence and sources behind your claim even tests.

Answer 4

This claim is misleading and overexaggerated. WebMD was identified by MediaBIas/FactCheck as having an accuracy report rating of high, and the article was fact-checked by a doctor, however, this claim is not supported by this article. The WebMD article states that, “Research shows that some forms of birth control can raise your odds of getting certain kinds of cancers. But birth control can also play a role in lowering your risk of some cancers.” (Camille Noe Pagán, Traci C. Johnson, Birth Control and Cancer Risk: What You Should Know). This article acknowledges the potential increased risk of cancer caused by birth control, but also notes that some birth control can actually decrease the risk of some cancers. This article does not claim that birth control definitively or objectively causes cancer. This articles true thesis of the existence of some correlation between cancer and birth control is further supported by The National Institute of Health. Studies conducted by the NIH, through their National Cancer Institute, did show a correlation between an increased risk of some cancers (breast and cervical cancer), however, these studies were conducted using observational studies, large prospective cohort studies, and population-based case–control studies; therefore, a definitive cause-effect relationship between taking oral contraceptives and cancer risk is not determinable, due to the possibility of outside factors (genetics, lifestyle, etc.) potentially playing a larger role in the results. These studies do show significant data of a positive correlation between the taking of oral contraceptives and an increased risk of cervical and breast cancer, “...women who had ever used oral contraceptives had a slight (7%) increase in the risk of breast cancer.” (NIH, Oral Contraceptives and Cancer Risk). Similar results were shown in cervical cancer, “One study found a 10% increased risk for less than 5 years of use, a 60% increased risk with 5–9 years of use, and a doubling of the risk with 10 or more years of use,” (NIH, Oral Contraceptives and Cancer Risk). However, this risk decreased over time when the use had ceased. While this research is relevant and does show a positive correlation between increased cancer risk (some) and the use of oral contraception, a negative correlation between contraception and other types of cancers has also been found. With oral contraception users being associated with a 15%-20% lower risk of colorectal cancer and a 30%-50% lower risk of ovarian cancer. (NIH, Oral Contraceptives and Cancer Risk). This negative correlation is also found between patients with IUDs being found to have a decreased risk of ovarian cancer by about 32%. (Camille Noe Pagán, Traci C. Johnson, Birth Control and Cancer Risk: What You Should Know). This shows that while there is some evidence to support the claim that birth control can lead to an increased risk of some cancers, birth control does not CAUSE cancer.

sources: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/hormones/oral-contraceptives-fact-sheet

https://www.webmd.com/sex/birth-control/birth-control-cancer-risk

https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/national-institutes-of-health-nih/

Answer 5

I noticed a lot of research done on the two types of BC pills and the IUD but saw nothing about the subdermal BC arm implants. The research conclusions regarding the BC pills and IUD have looked at the play estrogen and progesterone have on the types of cancers. Researchers found that some cancers become more common and some become less common depending on the type of BC you take, and for how long. For example in the American Cancer Society and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. They took note in American Cancer Society that researchers aren't sure if it's linked to estrogen or progesterone but that they think the link is to estrogen even though cancer risk can still be seen in progesterone related pills. IUD's are often told to be less risky when it comes to potentially getting cancer. If you're worried about it then doctors tend to recommend the IUD instead of the pill, according to the American Cancer Society (linked above), as well as Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Going back to research on the subdermal implants, The National Library of Medicine are one of the few who have even looked into the correlation between the implant and cancer. It has barely been researched and has left BC consult doctors with biased/unfinished recommendations when women are worried or have questions about what is best for them. 

Answer 6

I think there is truth to the claim but it is misleading. After reading the article provided and also looking at articles on my own it does seem that birth control can increase the risk of some cancers like breast and cervical. But in contrast this article and one of the articles I read, Oral Contraceptives and Cancer Risk, also seem to mention how birth control can reduce the risk of other cancers such as ovarian and endometrial. I feel like the claim would have been better when mentioning the effect is has on both decreasing and increasing specific cancers. The article used was useful but it would've made for a stronger claim if paired with more articles. 

Answer 7

This claim states the question of whether or not birth control methods can lead to cancer. Upon researching, I discovered an article written by the National Cancer Institute which states  these studies have provided consistent evidence that the risks of breast and cervical cancers are increased in women who use oral contraceptives, whereas the risks of endometrial, ovarian, and colorectal cancers are reduced." This quote is explaining that although there is some research that supports that some types of birth control can increase risk of some types of cancer, it may also be able to decrease risks of other types of cancer. The article explains that every form of birth control varies from person to person and the affects are different for everyone. So I would say that this claim is somewhat misleading because I think it requires personal research to determine if birth control is something that could put yourself at risk.

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/hormones/oral-contraceptives-fact-sheet

Answer 8

This claim is extremely exaggerated and is misleading towards anyone who reads it. I can see where this claim can come from. In the article it does state that the birth control pill can increase the risk of breast and cervical cancer. But it also states that it can decrease a persons risk of endometrial cancer. But the reason why this claim is misleading because it states that all birth control causes cancer which is false. There are forms of birth control that don't effect your hormones like the iud, the shot and the patch. Thats why its important for people to talk to their doctors before taking anyone else's advice or opinion.

Answer 9

While this claim could potentially be possible, it is not exactly true. In the original article it states that birth control can potential affect your risks for cancer. According to the claim, it argues that birth control causes cancer. Causation is very different from correlation. After digging even further deep into one of the sources from the original article (https://www.mskcc.org/news/birth-control-and-cancer-risk) they say that it is unclear if birth control affects cancer and they only talk about the cancer risk of patients who do not use various birth control methods which can lead to a sample that isn't exactly random.

Answer 10

As this claim is not an opinion, it can not be proven true or false. Saying that birth control causes cancer brings a wide range of the types of cancers that it can cause. As most cancers do not relate to women and their uterus concludes that the claim has a lot of gray area around it. Studies have show that breast cancer is most likely in patients with birth control or have had birth control in the past. This idea those has not be proven because many women use birth control or have in their life, to say that every girl who has been on birth is developing breast cancer is wrong. There are also no studies on exactly what in birth control could be causing the cancer if it is. There are different options for birth control that women are allowed to have, this claim would mean that they would have to test the common trait between each birth control and find what trait connects to cancer. The statement could be true because there is little research to the idea.

https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/hormones/oral-contraceptives-fact-sheet

https://www.mirena-us.com/birth-control-options?utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=MRN_DTC_cpc_bing_BC2&utm_content=UNBR_X_DK_PHR_O_X&utm_term=birth%20control%20info&cid=PPC-accountype:MICROSOFT-campaign:MRN_DTC_cpc_bing_BC2_UNBR_X_DK_PHR_O_X-searchterm:birth+control+info-adgroup:BC+-+Info-keywordid:p81163234835&gclid=2996a6b924b71fc7972ac12000e891ad&gclsrc=3p.ds&&msclkid=2996a6b924b71fc7972ac12000e891ad&gclid=2996a6b924b71fc7972ac12000e891ad&gclsrc=3p.ds

https://nextstellishcp.com/safety/?utm_medium=ppc&utm_source=bing&utm_content=Adverse_Reactions_Phrase&utm_term=birth%20control%20adverse%20reactions&utm_id=PS230522151253&msclkid=cd01767f1bac1e867c0411e63eafd955&utm_campaign=Unbranded%20HCP_Adverse%20Reactions

https://www.cancer.org/cancer/latest-news/birth-control-cancer-which-methods-raise-lower-risk.html