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Hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) may slightly increase the risk of breast cancer, a recent study revealed. However, the experts explain that the overall risk remains low. The research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, analyzed data from 150,000 Danish women. It revealed that women using IUDs had a 40 per cent higher risk of developing breast cancer as compared to those who did not. This increase translates to 14 additional breast cancer cases for every 10,000 women. However, the researchers noted that this risk did not increase with longer use of the IUD.

Experts urge women not to be alarmed by these findings. Kelsey Hampton, director of mission communications and education for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, emphasized that while an increase in cancer risk is always concerning, this study should be seen as more information to help women make educated decisions with their doctors. “We don’t want people to feel fear,” Hampton said, adding that this research simply provides more data to inform discussions between women and healthcare providers.

Dr Eleanor Bimla Schwarz, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, reassured women that the benefits of IUD use significantly outweigh the risks. She explained that the reported increase in breast cancer diagnoses is still a small, one-in-a-thousand risk, which is not equivalent to a fatal outcome. Schwarz pointed out that many everyday choices have a greater impact on breast cancer risk than using an IUD.

The study’s findings are consistent with previous research linking hormonal birth control methods to a slight increase in breast cancer risk, including oral contraceptives. Despite this, long-acting reversible contraceptives like IUDs remain a popular choice for women. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 10 per cent of American women aged 15 to 49 use IUDs or similar contraceptives, while 14 per cent use birth control pills.

While the study raised some concerns, it is important to note that breast cancer deaths in the US have been declining, although new diagnoses are rising among younger women under 50, according to a report from the American Cancer Society. This highlights the importance of early conversations about breast cancer risks, particularly when making decisions about birth control.

Hampton stressed that healthcare choices, such as selecting birth control, present an opportunity for women to discuss their broader breast cancer risk with their doctors. Schwarz added that the goal is for people to make informed decisions without fear. She cautioned against women avoiding effective contraception methods like IUDs, especially in areas where abortion access is limited, and emphasized the importance of understanding the full picture when evaluating birth control options.

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