What about cancer?

The Pill does affect your risk of certain types of cancer, and when you first decide to go on it, you should be told about this.

But it’s important for you to realise that the Pill actually reduces your chances of getting some cancers – while it increases the risk of others. As far as we know at the present (2005).

The Pill reduces your chance of getting:

cancer of the ovary

cancer of the womb (the endometrium)

possibly cancer of the bowel – a 60 per cent reduction in risk has been claimed, though this is still not proven.

The Pill increases your risk of getting:

breast cancer

cervical cancer – though this is almost entirely preventable by regular smear tests

liver cancer – though this is very rare.

The increase in breast cancer risk is now believed to be around 25 per cent - while you are actually on the Pill. But after you stop using the oral contraceptive, the risk soon reduces. Ten years after stopping the Pill, your risk is about the same as anyone else’s.

03/09/2010 06:17 PM

'No proof' IVF aided by acupuncture

There is no evidence acupuncture or Chinese herbal medicine boost the chance of IVF success, fertility experts warn.

03/09/2010 06:04 PM

'Problem kids' risk future pain

Children with behavioural problems are twice as likely to suffer chronic pain as adults than others, say researchers.

03/09/2010 05:36 AM

US school soda deal 'cuts sugar'

The US soft drinks industry says it has dramatically cut full-calorie beverages available in schools as part of a drive to tackle obesity.

03/07/2010 06:59 PM

Action urged on pregnancy deaths

Pregnant women in developing countries face the same risk of death as women in the UK did 100 years ago, say campaigners.

03/08/2010 02:37 PM

Obama continues healthcare attack

US President Barack Obama attacks insurers for raising rates as he continues his push for healthcare reform.

03/09/2010 10:21 AM

UK gives SA millions of condoms

The UK donates £1m ($1.5m) to South Africa to buy 42m condoms, as the nation builds up to the football World Cup.

03/06/2010 08:27 AM

Surgery on Mubarak 'successful'

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak undergoes successful surgery at a German clinic for an inflamed gall bladder, state media say.

03/07/2010 06:19 PM

Premature brain 'wash out' hope

A technique that "washes out" the brains of severely ill premature babies may aid survival, a study suggests.

03/06/2010 04:48 AM

Africa in bid to wipe out polio

A campaign is launched to eradicate polio in west and central Africa, targeting 85 million children.

03/08/2010 06:06 PM

'London bomb stress' recognised

Psychologists say they have treated hundreds of survivors of the 2005 London bombings for post-traumatic stress disorder.