Do contraceptives increase cancer risk? Insights beyond TikTok myths

TIKTOK has a way of making health scares go viral overnight. Recently, one video claiming that “the pill is now classified as a Group 1 carcinogen, like tobacco and alcohol” has racked up millions of views and sparked panic among women worldwide.

- VUYILE MADWANTSI

Some are even considering ditching their contraceptives altogether.

But what's fact, and what's fearmongering? Let's unpack what scientists and doctors actually know about birth control, cancer risk, and your health.

What the WHO says

The World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified the combined contraceptive pill (oestrogen + progestogen) as “carcinogenic to humans” since 2005.

This does not mean the pill is as dangerous as tobacco or asbestos. It means there is strong evidence that it can increase cancer risk in some situations. The mini pill (progestogen-only) is not in Group 1 but in Group 2B, meaning it is possibly carcinogenic.

What the science shows

Research suggests that hormonal contraceptives can slightly increase the risk of breast and cervical cancer.

A 2023 study by Oxford University’s Cancer Epidemiology Unit found that use of hormonal contraceptives was associated with a 20-30% higher risk of breast cancer.