Young women on the pill shouldn't worry about an increased risk of breast cancer, according to a new study. Doctors at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill looked at oral contraceptives and the risk of dying from breast cancer in nearly 4,300 women. They found no increased risk of death linked to using the pill, no matter the type of pill or how long the women were using it.
There's been concern since a 1996 study found an increased breast cancer risk among pill users. But this new study supports previous research published in 2002, countering that 19-96 finding.
The UNC researchers say their new findings show for many younger women, the pill can be a good birth control option. However, they were not able to say the same thing about older women approaching menopause. They think more research is needed to determine if the pill has similar affects to hormone replacement therapy, which is used to supress menopause symptoms. A landmark 2002 study called the "Women's Health Initiative" linked HRTs to an increase incidence of breast cancer.
The study appears in this month's issue of the journal "Obstetrics and Gynecology."
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About AHughes
Ann Hughes anchors FOX23 News at 5 and 10 with John Gray. She is also the station's health reporter and raises awareness about breast cancer each month with her BuddyCheck23 segment.
Ann first began working at FOX23 News back in 1998, as the weekend anchor/reporter. One of her most memorable reporting experiences was covering the trial of four New York City police officers, charged in the death of Amadou Diallo.
She is a graduate of Syracuse University's Newhouse School. She worked in radio news in both Syracuse and Rochester and at WTVH in Syracuse, before moving to Albany.
Ann has been recognized as one of the top news talents in the Capital Region by both the Times Union and Metroland. She won The Michael Schoenbrun Award for Excellence in Television Reporting.
She is actively involved in her community. Ann led an on-air campaign for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society in 2001, running a marathon and raising more than $38,000 for the organization. By the way, she finished the marathon in 3:52:48.
Ann is also a member of the Coxsackie-Athens Rotary Club.
She is originally from Wisconsin. She lives in Greene County with her husband, daughter, dog and three chickens.
