Can Birth Control Prevent Endometrial Cancer?

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic cancer. The cancer starts when cells in the inner lining of the uterus mutate, causing abnormal growth. As a woman gets older, risk of endometrial cancer increases and it occurs most commonly after menopause.

Just a few risk factors include:

• Age
• Diabetes
• Lack of exercise
• Family history: if close relatives have had endometrial or colorectal cancer

But can birth control actually prevent endometrial cancer?

Studies have shown, that using birth control pills can reduce risk of endometrial cancer between 30-40%. This protection also continues for at least 10 years after a woman stops taking the birth control. Combination birth control pills contain both estrogen and progesterone, which decrease the risk of this type of cancer.

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