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Something in the water? Contraceptive pill associated with prostate cancer
16 November 2011
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The oral contraceptive pill may be associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer, according to a study published in the British Medical Journal Open.
Researchers compared global cancer registries with a 2007 report on the types of contraception used worldwide. They found a link between women taking the oral contraceptive pill and men diagnosed with prostate cancer.
The researchers thought that the link to prostate cancer may be due to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) . However, when they looked at other non-barrier forms of contraception, such as intrauterine devices (IUDs), no such link was found.
Instead, they conclude that endocrine disruptive compounds (EDCs) are more likely to be responsible. EDCs are chemicals found in oral contraceptive pills that are excreted by women and end up in the water supplies and food chains. EDCs can interfere with an individual’s hormonal system and, it's suggested, may cause cancerous tumours.
Dr Ryan Mehta, Project Clinical Director, Bupa Health and Wellbeing UK commented: “There is very little, if anything, we can take from this research. There are so many other potential causes of prostate cancer that haven’t been taken into account, it would be impossible to pin it down to just one chemical out of the millions we’re exposed to every day.
“Currently there is no solid evidence that EDCs actually cause prostate cancer. Even if we were sure, EDCs are found in all sorts of products from detergents to pesticides to cosmetics to building materials. How do we know it’s not one of these that is responsible for the rise in prostate cancer rather than the oral contraceptive pill? Also, none of the researchers tested the water in any of the countries to see if EDCs are actually in the water supply. Finally, over the last couple of decades there has been a huge rise in the number of cancer screening programmes. It seems far more likely that the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test is responsible for a rise in prostate cancer detection, not something in the water.
“My advice is not to worry – men don’t need to stop drinking tap water and women don’t need to stop taking the oral contraceptive pill. This research offers us nothing more than a potential theory.”
The study looked at the number of women using oral contraceptives, IUDs, condoms or vaginal barriers in a number of countries in each continent. They used information from the International Agency for Research on Cancer to see how many men in these countries had been diagnosed with and died from prostate cancer. Their analysis took into account the gross domestic product in each country, an indicator of how wealthy a country is. However, it didn’t take into account other factors that affect prostate cancer risk, such as diet and other lifestyle habits.
Key facts
- Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men.
- The disease mainly affects men over the age of 50.
- A number of things increase your risk of prostate cancer, including having close relatives who have had the disease and if your diet is high in fat, meat and dairy products.
- You can reduce your risk of prostate cancer and other serious diseases with some simple lifestyle changes, including doing regular physical activity, stopping smoking and eating at least five portions of fruit and vegetables a day.
How can we help you?
Prostate exam and PSA blood test
Most of Bupa's Health Assessments include a prostate exam and PSA blood test for men over 50. Call 0845 600 3458 quoting ref. HFS100 to book an appointment today.
Read the study
Margel D, Fleshner NE. Oral contraceptive use is associated with prostate cancer: an ecological study. BMJ Open 2011; 1:e000311. www.bmjopen.com
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