Contraceptive pills

Minnlady13 · Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2005 1:21 pm Post subject: Re: Contraceptive pills

Hello everyone,

This is certainly an interesting discussion, and a good example of the value of these internet support boards. First, Flynn, please try not to be frightened. Everyone is just trying to be honest and up front with their views. There are millions of women on birth control pills who do not get breast cancer. Just because you take them does not mean that you will for sure get breast cancer.

But, I also agree with Nancy and Margie that there may be a link to the hormone manipulation that results from birth control pills and HRT and breast cancer. We do know that some breast cancers are hormone receptive, so in some cases, HRT and/or birth control pills may have contributed to the development of breast cancer.

In my case, I took birth control pills when I was 19, got pregnant, developed a blood clot in my leg following delivery of baby when I was 22 and never took another birth control pill. I never took HRT. But, 38 years later, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I cannot and will not believe there is any connection between the birth control pills I took three decades ago and my cancer. I was just one of those "lucky" women. And, like Nancy, I am the first and so far only member of my family to have had breast cancer. I also have a daughter who is on birth control pills, but she is aware of her risks and choses to use the pills anyway.

I don't know if this has helped or hindered the discussion. I just thought it was time that I weighed in on the topic. Hugs to all, Lauri
_________________
Diagnosed 4/11/1996
Lumpectomy, 6 mm tumor
Neg. nodes
ER/PR+
33 rads
Tamoxifen, 5 yrs.
NED

Flynn · Regular Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 23

Thanks Lauri, you really made me feel better. I know my risks and I know I should not be frightened and living in fear thinking about it all the time. But it's just difficult sometimes..

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Flynn

Let me tell you my considerations

1) Oral contraceptive pills do not increase your chance of developing breast cancer. After multiple research studies that has been shown. But given the link of estrogen hormones and cancer, the lower the dose the better.

2) HRT and oral contraceptive pills are very very different. HRT is a much higher dose of hormones and a completely different case.

3) Breast cancer CAN be cured. If the tumor is localized and completely excised you are considered cured.

4) The people that you are seeing here are the ones that have been diagnosed with breast cancer. Of course they should not be on any hormone treatment. Their case is VERY different from someone like you. You are not seeing the millions of people that take birth control pills and do well. And after these studies all these oral contraceptives are still on the market and there is no indication that they will be banned in the near future.

5) In addition, there are other methods of contraception. Tubal ligation and oral contraceptives are only two. Other methods such as IUD and barrier methods are also good choices. Each method has its drawbacks and advantages, and you should discuss this with your physician.

best regards,
Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

Flynn · Regular Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 23

Thankx Leo, could you tell me what IUD is? Rolling Eyes

sgishelly · Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 12:16 pm Post subject: Re: Contraceptive pills

Hi there,

I had an IUD once and here's what I remember about it...

You could not get one if you hadn't been pregnant before -- don't remember why. That may not be the case anymore...I had mine a long time ago (about 17 years ago)

It was a little piece of plastic - kind of in a curly T shape - with a short string attached

The doctor inserts it through your cervix into your uterus. I don't remember it being painful at ll to have it inserted or removed.

Side effects - the only one I remember them mentioning was heavier periods...but I really didn't notice much of a difference.

As I said, I had mine a long time ago and I may be forgetting some important stuff. It was a great option for me because I'm terrible about remembering to take pills on time. I had mine about a year and a half...I had it removed because we decided that we wanted another child...now that child is getting his drivers license and making me a nervous wreck!!!

Laughing

Hope everyone is at home and warm during all this winter weather in the northeast. Here is Florida, it's 33 degrees and sunny. Seems cold to me but I can't complain...yesterday it was 70...go figure!!
_________________
Shelly
Dx Nov 1, 2004 at 40 y/o
Right MRM, Left Simple Mast. - 12/9/04
Stage 2A IDC -
Primary tumor 1cm
3+ / 14 nodes, ER/PR+, HER2-
34 rads - finished 5/25
chemo - AC and Taxol FINISHED 7/6/05
beginning reconstruction 2/06
brain mets 4/06 - now stage 4

Minnlady13 · Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 12:42 pm Post subject: Re: Contraceptive pills

Hi Shelley, thanks for the weather report from FLA. My mother is headed for Bradenton on a bus tour, so I hope it warms up before she gets there in a day or two. Good luck to the DS getting his drivers' license. It is an anxious time for parents. I remember it only too well and my two are 30 and 37. But, it seems like only yesterday.

Flynn, IUD stands for Inter Uterine Device. Shelley gave you a good explanation. It was/is used for contraception. Lauri
_________________
Diagnosed 4/11/1996
Lumpectomy, 6 mm tumor
Neg. nodes
ER/PR+
33 rads
Tamoxifen, 5 yrs.
NED

sgishelly · Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 12:52 pm Post subject: Re: Contraceptive pills

Lauri,

It is supposed to slowly warm up after tomorrow and Bradenton is further south than I am so I doubt it gets as cold there as it does here. Your mom should have some pretty decent weather.

And thanks for clarifying what IUD stands for...I didn't even think about that!!
_________________
Shelly
Dx Nov 1, 2004 at 40 y/o
Right MRM, Left Simple Mast. - 12/9/04
Stage 2A IDC -
Primary tumor 1cm
3+ / 14 nodes, ER/PR+, HER2-
34 rads - finished 5/25
chemo - AC and Taxol FINISHED 7/6/05
beginning reconstruction 2/06
brain mets 4/06 - now stage 4

Flynn · Regular Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 23

Thanks

leo · Site Admin Joined: 23 Sep 2004 Posts: 1574

Hello

IUD is mostly indicated for those that have a single partner, because it does not protect against STDs and if you get an STD when you have an IUD the chance of complications from the STD are higher. The other often cited possible complication is that the chances of having an ectopic pregnancy are higher compared to those that do not have an IUD, but still very low. It is a very very good method, but like I said before, try to know what's available and discuss with your doctor.

regards,
Leo
_________________
Leonardo F - Webmaster Cancer Forums
Disclaimer: this information is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice.

Muttsmom · Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2005 11:37 pm Post subject: Re: Contraceptive pills

Hi Shelly,
What part of FL are you in? I was born and raised in St. Petersburg. I haven't been back in quite a few years but I loved it there and so close to all the things like Busch Gardens and being around the Manatees. The only thing I don't miss is not having seasons.
Nancy
_________________
Nancy
2/14/02 ILC 43 - 5.5 cm 9+/16 nodes
Stage IIIA er/pr+ Her2-
2/02 MRM
FECx6 radsx33
Tamoxifen - Arimidex (chemo induced menopause)
4/03 SM w/bilat. recon.
9/03 expanders removed
5/04 repair reconst. disaster
10/04 Actonel for bone/joint pain from Arimidex
NED - 5 years
3/07 Diabetes
In memory of Kim 12/1/04

Flynn · Regular Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 23

[quote="leo"]Hello

IUD is mostly indicated for those that have a single partner, because it does not protect against STDs and if you get an STD when you have an IUD the chance of complications from the STD are higher. The other often cited possible complication is that the chances of having an ectopic pregnancy are higher compared to those that do not have an IUD, but still very low. It is a very very good method, but like I said before, try to know what's available and discuss with your doctor.

regards,
Leo[/quote]

I have a single partner but I haven't got any kids so I guess it is not possible for me. In Lithuania we call this method coil (if it is really the same, but I am quite sure it is). There are one of them that can be used by women who haven't got any kids but these coils are also with hormones.
By the way, in Lithuania statistics say that coil is not that good for protection as pills...

sgishelly · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2005 10:47 am Post subject: Re: Contraceptive pills

Nancy,

I'm on the panhandle about 75 miles east of Panama City on a small barrier island called St George Island. I absolutely love it here but like you I miss the seasons. Our seasons basically consist of the tourist season and the off season. LOL. Actually it does get cold here but we don't have any of the hardwood tress that show the color change...that's what I miss.

I've spent a lot of time in Tampa and the surrounding area lately while getting treatment at Moffit and I can see why you would miss it. It's a beautiful area!!
_________________
Shelly
Dx Nov 1, 2004 at 40 y/o
Right MRM, Left Simple Mast. - 12/9/04
Stage 2A IDC -
Primary tumor 1cm
3+ / 14 nodes, ER/PR+, HER2-
34 rads - finished 5/25
chemo - AC and Taxol FINISHED 7/6/05
beginning reconstruction 2/06
brain mets 4/06 - now stage 4

Flynn · Regular Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 23

I found some very interesting link about this. Well we all know what is written in it but still maybe someone finds anything important

http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact/3_13.htm

Flynn · Regular Joined: 16 Jan 2005 Posts: 23

I was thinking about all the things everyone said here and about all the things that I know and I have some more questions if I may ask you.

First of all how can you, Leo, be so sure that Oral contraceptive pills do not increase one's chance of developing breast cancer? because information that I find says that they do...

Second, what about the progesterone only pills? Are they the same?

And the third question is about the studies. I use 3th generation pills so this means they are not investigated enough because they were created not so long ago and women that are using them from the very beggining are about 40 now, am I right? so there is no posibility to know if they cause BC or not, am I right? So in general those 1st and 2nd generation pills might cause BC because the studies show but we do not know what happens if the dose is lower...

Thanks guys, I am really worried Sad

mom of 4 · New User Joined: 21 Feb 2005 Posts: 1

Hi- unlurking to post on tubal ligation and my own experience. I chose this route since I had my children. I had the surgery 5 yrs ago. About 6 mths after I strarted having problems with much heavier periods with extreme cramping and shorter cycles. I was prescribed the pill 2 yrs after tl to treat the side effects of the tl. I also took ponstel at that time to help with pain. Real sharp pains & chronic cramping that included diarrhea and nausea the first three days.
Then last year after trying every natural thing i could find, I opted to have the endemetrial ablution (sp?) to help resolve the probs with my periods.

Anyway-- Before doing a tl, research like crazy and there are several methods. Had I known what I know now -I would have insisted on my husband having a vas. Some people have no problems with this surgery, others suffer. Do goggle Post tubal syndrome, some info online is really slanted because there are Christian groups that want to scare people from having tl, but some of it really is factual about the side effects. My new ob/gyn surgical group treats for PTS and acknowledges it, but my dr that did my surgery does not.

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