BBC News - Pill increases breast cancer risk

BBC News ^ | 3-23-2002

[LoneGreenEyeshade]

See post # 20.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

Yes, your statement is correct to a certain extent! Years and years ago before hormones and legalized abortion, breast cancer was known as an old spinster's and a nun's disease. They were largely the ones who got it. Of course, there's always the family history risk factor no matter even if you have children and other cases with no known risk factors.

I just remembered a recent study that said the Pill had a protective effect on the ovaries and this was a plus for women with a family history of ovarian cancer.

[RJCogburn]

While estrogen-replacement therapy may be needed short-term at menopause and the Pill is beneficial for certain reproductive disorders, largely it's a bad idea.

The benefits of estrogen may be more than the menopausal symptom amelioration, including protection against osteoporosis, which actually contributes to many deaths since the mortality rate is high in the elderly who suffer hip fractures.

Additional benefits may include improvment of mood including for some women mood disorders that interfere with normal life functioning, protection against cardiovascular disease,and protection against dementias.. The final answers are not in yet.

Having said this, I agree that most of the time estrogen replacement is not a good idea and, were I a woman, would decline.

[Notwithstanding]

Funny, the purveyor of death and Pills, Planned Barrenhood, curiously does not mention in their Pill propaganda the health benefits of the Pill which you mention - though they do falsely claim it does not increase the risk of stroke or heart attack.

BTW, Clearly you ain't the typical user.
If you ain't a whore then I was not talking about you.

[RJCogburn]

women should know about this cancer risk

I completely agree.

[Notwithstanding]

from http://www.fwhc.org/thepill.htm
the Feminist Women's Health Center

"Disadvantages" of the Pill: "Raised risk of heart attack and stroke."

[LoneGreenEyeshade]

Yeah, sure, diet helps. And estrogen goes even further than a good diet will get you. More and more research is showing that estrogen is "the fountain of youth" for women, especially those who no longer naturally produce it. I don't advocate taking the pill for birth control purposes. But for women like myself, and others, who can no longer produce estrogen, it does far more than a healthly diet alone can do.

[Notwithstanding]

I call you on your claims that the Pill reduces heart attack and stroke.

If it is true so be it. I just want to see the source for your claims.

[LoneGreenEyeshade]

Funny, the purveyor of death and Pills, Planned Barrenhood, curiously does not mention in their Pill propaganda the health benefits of the Pill

That's because their "target" is not women interested in the health benefits. The health benefits are for those women who can no longer produce estrogen naturally. And those women also cannot conceive children. So Planned Parenthood has no interest in these women!

[LoneGreenEyeshade]

Well, I'll have to dig out all the literature from the Women's cancer center I visited. It was two years ago. But I can also do some research on the internet. There is a great deal of research going on. Again, the benefits are for women who can no longer produce estrogen naturally. I'll get back to you with a link or two.

[nickcarraway]

I'm glad someone else felt that way. The first time I saw the birth control/acne prevention commercial it seemed really wrong.

[Notwithstanding]

Meeting Report 02/11/2002 Newest version of 'the pill' confers same stroke risk as old pill ©2002 American Heart Association, Inc.
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3000690

SAN ANTONIO, Feb. 7 – The first major study of ischemic stroke in women taking the latest form of low-estrogen birth control pills finds that they still have about double the stroke risk of women not taking the pill. These findings were reported today at the American Stroke Association’s 27th International Stroke Conference. The American Stroke Association is a division of the American Heart Association.

[RJCogburn]

Although there is an increase in the risk of breast cancer, so monitoring is essential

I believe there is some suggestion in the data that, though estrogen users, more the women who use estrogen replacement therapy rather than contraceptives have an increased risk of breast cancer, they may actually have a lesser mortality because they are more likely to be monitored with regular mammograms and have an earlier diagnosis. Again, the final answer awaits.

[Notwithstanding]

Merci, madame.

[Notwithstanding]

That was the day I realized I am fully content and very very releived that I am counter-cultural - and that I am right to raise my children to be the same way. When something like that is on the screen (ad, show, movie) we always talk to them about the virtue that is being violated and the vice or sin being exhibited. It is fun to teach my kids how to stand up for themselves and not be lured in by the culture. Amen.

[RJCogburn]

The first major study of ischemic stroke in women taking the latest form of low-estrogen birth control pills finds that they still have about double the stroke risk of women not taking the pill.

The route of delivery of estrogen may be important. The transdermal patches which deliver estrogen through the skin into the bloodstream, rather than the oral form which is absorbed in the intestine and passes first through the liver, may have less effect on strokes. The liver is the site of production of some clotting factors and it is speculated that is the reason.

This applies to hormone replacement therapy, not oral birth control pills.

[Calvin Locke]

I had a woman office mate first job out of school. Back then, the pill caused cervical cancer. Still remember
her commenting on the updated story that it was because they were having more sex.

[LoneGreenEyeshade]

I did a quick search. Here are a few places I found. I'll look some more:

American Family Physician---aafp.org
Doctors Guide to the Internet---pslgroup.com

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

What you say is absolutely true. Given that, I would rather take my chances with heart disease and osteoporosis than in getting breast cancer (and I'm a nurse with elderly relatives with osteoporosis and cardiac problems). There are good procedures and medications to take care of heart problems and osteoporosis should they develop. Plus, a healthy lifestyle can go a long way. Personally, I'm of the belief that God has a reason for menopause and estrogen reductions and I believe we have everything needed on this planet to cure our diseases. It's just out there for us to discover. I'm big into alternative medicine (homeopathy and Ayurveda) so someday when menopause arrives then I will use whatever natural means are available before I consider a carcinogen.

I think this is what informed choice is really all about. I do believe the drug companies and Planned Parenthood make an enormous profit off the bodies of women and have plenty of reason to want to block this kind of information. They stand to lose millions. But after getting all the facts, if a woman still wants to take these drugs then it is her choice. But I think we all deserve to be fully informed regardless.