Hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) may slightly increase the risk breast cancerA recent study has shown. However, experts say the overall risk is low. The research, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, analyzed data from 150,000 Danish women. It showed that women who used an IUD had a 40 percent higher risk of developing breast cancer than women who did not use one. This increase translates into 14 additional breast cancer cases for every 10,000 women. However, the researchers noted that long-term use of the IUD did not increase this risk.

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 although an increase in cancer risk is always worrisome, this study is important to help women make educated decisions with their doctors. More details to be seen as needed. “We don’t want people to feel afraid,” Hampton said. She said this research provides more data to inform discussions between women and healthcare providers.

Dr. Eleanor Bimala Schwarz, professor of medicine at the University of California, San Francisco, reassures women that the benefits of IUD use far outweigh the risks. He pointed out that the reported increase in breast cancer diagnoses is still a small, one in a thousand risk, which does not equate to a fatal outcome. Schwarz pointed out that many everyday choices have a greater impact on breast cancer risk than IUD use.

The study’s findings are consistent with previous research linking hormonal birth control methods, including oral contraceptives, to a modest increase in breast cancer risk. Despite this, long-acting reversible contraceptives such as IUDs remain a popular option for women. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 10 percent of American women ages 15 to 49 use IUDs or similar contraceptives, while 14 percent use birth control pills.

While the study has raised some concerns, it’s important to note that breast cancer deaths are declining in the U.S., according to a report from the American Cancer Society, although new diagnoses are rising among younger women under 50. Are increasing. This highlights the importance of early conversations about breast cancer risks, especially when making decisions about birth control.

Hampton emphasized that health care choices, such as choosing birth control, provide women an opportunity to discuss the broader risk of breast cancer with their doctors. Schwarz said the goal is for people to make informed decisions without fear. They cautioned women against avoiding effective contraceptive methods such as IUDs, especially in areas where access to abortion is limited, and stressed the importance of understanding the whole picture when evaluating birth control options.

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