IUD contraceptives linked to small increased risk of breast cancer

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2024-10-17 02:00

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Hormonal intrauterine devices (IUDs) for contraception are linked to a small increased risk of breast cancer compared to using no hormonal contraception, according to international researchers who say this increased risk is similar to the risk for taking an oral contraceptive pill. The researchers matched about 78,500 Danish women who had a levonorgestrel-releasing device such as the Mirena or Kyleena with a woman who did not use hormonal contraception and followed up over an average of 6.8 years to monitor breast cancer diagnoses. They say when adjusting for other risk factors, IUDs were associated with about 14 additional breast cancer cases per 10,000 women. The risk did not appear to change based on how long they used IUDs for, they add. The researchers say while the overall risk of breast cancer remains low, women should be informed of the possible risk when discussing their contraceptive options.