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

As soon as I saw this claim I immediately clicked on it and had to know if it was true, I was pleasantly relieved to find out that this was not fully true and that some birth controls can actually lower your risk of cancer.

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I think that you might want to you more than one source when researching something like this. Webmd is useful and something to use as a secondary source but using it as your only source makes the argument a little bit weak and could use more. I also think using quotes or specific data would help.

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The claim that "birth control causes cancer" is misleading and fearmongering, as it suggests that all forms of birth control increase cancer risk, which isn’t true. Different methods, like the pill, IUDs, and shots, can have varying effects, and some may even reduce the risk of certain cancers, such as ovarian and endometrial cancer. It’s always important to consider individual health factors though, and consult with a healthcare provider to make informed decisions about birth control so it affects you positively.

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