The contraceptive pill

There are two types of contraceptive pill – the combined pill containing oestrogen and progesterone, and the progesterone-only version.

Taking the combined pill will expose you to a slightly higher risk of breast cancer than that faced by people who don’t take it. Coming off the combined pill will decrease this risk until, ten years after stopping, you’ll be no more likely to get breast cancer than someone who has never taken it. 

Oestrogen levels in the combined pill have decreased in the last 30 years. However it’s not yet known if the lower modern dose has a reduced risk of breast cancer in comparison.

Recent studies suggest that the progesterone-only pill is not linked to breast cancer, however, further research is needed before we can be sure.

Remember, breast cancer is rare in women under the age of 40, irrespective of what contraceptive they may use. And there are significant benefits in taking the pill. As well as preventing unplanned pregnancies, it can reduce the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer, which affects the womb lining.

There is insufficient evidence to prove that other forms of hormone-based contraception such as implants and the hormone containing coil - levonorgesterol IUS - are linked to breast cancer.

If you are thinking of going on, or coming off the pill, talk to your GP or a family planning clinic. You’ll need to make an informed choice, taking your medical history, your lifestyle, the benefits and risk of the pill and any viable alternatives into consideration.

Find out more by downloading our factsheet, The Pill and Breast Cancer Risk: The Facts (377 kb) .