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Prescribing the pill
The preventative power of the birth control pill
by Gabriel Verzino
Features | 2/12/08
Posted online at 4:02 AM EST on 2/12/08
There has been long-standing controversy over whether or not the birth control pill is actually safe. Shortly after it was first marketed in 1960, many scientists began to speculate that birth control pills increased the risk of breast cancer. Then, in 1969, researchers discovered a possible link between birth controls pills and the occurrence of blood clots, but the finding was still murky. Despite the many warnings, however, many women continued to take oral contraceptives with very minimal side-effects.
Just last week, however, a surprising report published in the British Lancet revealed clear evidence that "the pill" actually protects against ovarian cancer.
The report examined a large population of women, including over 23,000 with ovarian cancer and roughly 87,000 without ovarian cancer, in 45 different locations worldwide. British scientists found that using the pill for 10 or more years not only reduced the chance of acquiring ovarian cancer by 30 percent, but also protected women at this same rate for 30 or more years after stopping pill usage. The study also shows decreased risk across many different ethnicities, education levels, and medical histories in women who are taking the pill.
Ovarian cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of reproductive cancer affecting nearly 22,430 women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. More than 60 percent of these cases resulted in fatalities just last year.
The cancer is also very difficult to detect early because of limited screening methods and hidden symptoms. By the time the cancer is discovered, it is usually profuse over the entire ovary. Dr. Pam Das, senior editor to the Lancet said that in the United States, ovarian cancer is "the most common cause of death in reproductive organs." Since the disease is usually advanced at the point of detection, physicians use extremely radical and typically ineffective treatments to eliminate the cancer. Unfortunately, ovarian cancer cases among women have continued to rise steadily since 1987.
Just last week, however, a surprising report published in the British Lancet revealed clear evidence that "the pill" actually protects against ovarian cancer.
The report examined a large population of women, including over 23,000 with ovarian cancer and roughly 87,000 without ovarian cancer, in 45 different locations worldwide. British scientists found that using the pill for 10 or more years not only reduced the chance of acquiring ovarian cancer by 30 percent, but also protected women at this same rate for 30 or more years after stopping pill usage. The study also shows decreased risk across many different ethnicities, education levels, and medical histories in women who are taking the pill.
Ovarian cancer is one of the most aggressive forms of reproductive cancer affecting nearly 22,430 women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society. More than 60 percent of these cases resulted in fatalities just last year.
The cancer is also very difficult to detect early because of limited screening methods and hidden symptoms. By the time the cancer is discovered, it is usually profuse over the entire ovary. Dr. Pam Das, senior editor to the Lancet said that in the United States, ovarian cancer is "the most common cause of death in reproductive organs." Since the disease is usually advanced at the point of detection, physicians use extremely radical and typically ineffective treatments to eliminate the cancer. Unfortunately, ovarian cancer cases among women have continued to rise steadily since 1987.
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Helen
posted 2/13/08 @ 10:55 AM EST
In my part of Arizona, the southern, rather poor part, under a state medical program for people on welfare or unable to afford health insurance called ACCCHS (we say it 'access'), I receive free birth control pills. (Continued…)
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