Published on October 17, 2024 at 3:23 p.m.
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A Danish study published Wednesday October 16 shows that intrauterine contraceptive devices with hormones are linked to a higher risk of breast cancer, but these remain low overall.
The links between contraception and breast cancer have already been demonstrated. A study published in March 2023 already suggested that all forms of hormonal contraception lead to a slightly increased risk of breast cancer in women. A conclusion which also concerned progestin-only contraceptives. This latest study revealed that the risk of breast cancer increased by 20% to 30%, whatever its nature (pill, IUD, implant or injection) and its formula (estrogen-progestin or progestin alone).
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New research confirms the trend
Wednesday October 16, a Danish study published in JAMA medical journal and highlighted by the “New York Times” showed that levonorgestrel IUDs, better known under the names Mirena or Kyleena, were linked to the risk of breast cancer.
IUDs are among the most effective contraceptives and are used by around 8.1% of women of childbearing age in Europe. According to researchers, hormonal contraceptives, although localized (they release hormones only into the uterus), nevertheless carry the same risk as oral contraceptives.
78,595 women on hormonal IUDs from Denmark aged 15 to 49 participated in the study. For about seven years, they were compared to the same number of women who did not use contraception but had a similar profile. It was observed that those who used levonorgestrel IUDs had a 40% greater chance of developing breast cancer. This risk therefore reaches 14 cases per 10,000 women, according to the study. The number of additional cases increased among women who used these devices for more than five years, but there were not enough of these long-term users to draw statistically significant conclusions, said Dr. Morch, who is in charge of of the study.
A study that aims to be reassuring
Although the risk exists, it remains low, especially for young patients. Especially since the doctors in charge of the study believe that the benefits linked to these contraceptives outweigh the risks. They point out that the hormonal IUD is one of the most effective devices against pregnancies and would protect against certain types of cancer (ovaries, endometrium. However, wearing a hormonal IUD carries many risks, in particular the formation of clots blood pressure and an increased likelihood of depression If there is a family history of breast cancer, it is also recommended to find out about contraceptive alternatives.
