Serene woman surrounded by floating pills and flowers, symbolizing hormonal balance and reproductive health.

The Truth About Birth Control and Cancer: What Women Need to Know

Reese Marlowe in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Navigating the latest research on hormonal contraceptives and pancreatic cancer risk. Is there a real danger?"

For women navigating their reproductive health, hormonal birth control offers a range of benefits, from preventing pregnancy to managing certain health conditions. However, it’s natural to wonder about the potential risks, especially when it comes to serious illnesses like cancer.

Pancreatic cancer, while relatively rare, is a particularly concerning diagnosis due to its high mortality rate. This has led researchers to investigate various potential risk factors, including the use of hormonal contraceptives. But what does the science actually say about this link?

A recent study published in PLOS One aimed to shed light on this important question, focusing specifically on the risk of pancreatic cancer among premenopausal women using hormonal birth control. Let's break down the key findings and what they mean for you.

Decoding the Study: Hormonal Contraceptives and Pancreatic Cancer Risk

Serene woman surrounded by floating pills and flowers, symbolizing hormonal balance and reproductive health.

The study, a large-scale prospective cohort study conducted in Denmark, followed nearly 1.9 million women aged 15-49 years from 1995 to 2014. Researchers analyzed data from national registries, including prescription records for hormonal contraceptives and diagnoses of pancreatic cancer. The aim was to determine if there was a link between the use of hormonal birth control and the development of pancreatic cancer in this population.

The researchers took into account a variety of factors that could influence the results, including age, education level, history of polycystic ovary syndrome or endometriosis, parity (number of births), age at first birth, smoking status, and body mass index. This comprehensive approach allowed them to isolate the potential impact of hormonal contraceptive use.

No Increased Risk: The study found that, overall, women who had ever used hormonal contraceptives did not have a significantly higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer compared to women who had never used them.
No Difference Between Types: The risk did not vary between users of combined hormonal contraceptives (containing both estrogen and progestin) and progestogen-only products.
Duration Doesn't Matter: Long-term use of hormonal contraception was also not associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer.

In essence, the study provided reassuring evidence that using hormonal birth control, whether combined or progestogen-only, and regardless of the duration of use, does not appear to elevate the risk of pancreatic cancer in premenopausal women.

Making Informed Choices About Your Health

While this study offers valuable reassurance, it's essential to remember that research is always evolving. If you have concerns about birth control and cancer risk, the best course of action is to have an open and honest conversation with your healthcare provider. They can provide personalized guidance based on your individual health history, lifestyle, and risk factors. Together, you can weigh the benefits and risks of different contraceptive options and make a choice that is right for you.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

What is the main focus of the study regarding hormonal contraceptives and cancer?

The study focuses on the potential link between the use of hormonal birth control and the risk of pancreatic cancer in premenopausal women. The research, conducted in Denmark, aimed to determine if there was an increased risk of pancreatic cancer among women using hormonal contraceptives, considering factors like age, education, history of conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome or endometriosis, parity, age at first birth, smoking status, and body mass index. The study specifically examined whether there was a correlation between the use of combined hormonal contraceptives and progestogen-only products, and if the duration of use had any impact on pancreatic cancer risk.

What were the key findings of the study on hormonal contraceptives and pancreatic cancer risk?

The study found no significant increase in the risk of pancreatic cancer among women who had ever used hormonal contraceptives compared to those who had never used them. Furthermore, the risk did not vary between users of combined hormonal contraceptives and progestogen-only products. The duration of hormonal contraceptive use was also not associated with an increased risk of pancreatic cancer. These findings provide reassurance about the safety of hormonal birth control in terms of pancreatic cancer risk within the scope of the study.

How was the study conducted, and what data did it use to investigate the relationship between birth control and pancreatic cancer?

The study was a large-scale prospective cohort study conducted in Denmark, following nearly 1.9 million women aged 15-49 years from 1995 to 2014. Researchers used data from national registries, including prescription records for hormonal contraceptives and diagnoses of pancreatic cancer. This allowed them to track the use of hormonal birth control and the occurrence of pancreatic cancer over time. Additionally, the study considered several factors, such as age, education level, medical history, parity, age at first birth, smoking status, and body mass index, to account for potential confounding variables that could influence the results. This comprehensive approach allowed researchers to isolate the impact of hormonal contraceptive use on pancreatic cancer risk.

Are there different types of hormonal contraceptives, and did the study differentiate between them when assessing cancer risk?

Yes, the study considered two main types of hormonal contraceptives: combined hormonal contraceptives, which contain both estrogen and progestin, and progestogen-only products. A key finding of the study was that the risk of pancreatic cancer did not vary between users of these different types of hormonal contraceptives. This suggests that the type of hormonal birth control, whether combined or progestogen-only, does not significantly impact the risk of developing pancreatic cancer in premenopausal women, as determined by this specific research.

What advice is given to women concerned about birth control and cancer risk based on the study's findings?

The study provides reassuring evidence that hormonal birth control does not appear to increase the risk of pancreatic cancer in premenopausal women. However, the text emphasizes the importance of consulting with a healthcare provider for personalized guidance. Women are encouraged to discuss their concerns, health history, lifestyle, and risk factors with their healthcare provider. Together, they can weigh the benefits and risks of different contraceptive options and make an informed decision that aligns with individual health needs and concerns, ensuring a tailored approach to reproductive health management.