Prostate cancer tied to birth-control pills, but why?

By: Monica DyBuncio
Topics: Health Care ,; News ,; Men ,; Women ,; Cancer ,; Research

(Credit: CBS/istockphoto)

(CBS/AP) Are birth control pills to blame for the high rates of prostate cancer? There's no proof, but a provocative new study showed a link between use of the Pill and the number of new cases as well as deaths from prostate cancer.

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Researchers at Princess Margaret Hospital in Toronto compared rates of prostate cancer cases and deaths in 87 countries with rates of contraceptive use - including intrauterine devices, condoms, and vaginal barrier contraceptives. But apart from the Pill, a correlation "was not found among other contraceptive methods," said lead author Dr. David Margel.

Why the connection?

Women on the Pill excrete estrogen in their urine, which gets into the environment - particularly into water. And scientific evidence suggests that low levels of estrogen may cause cancer, including prostate cancer, Margel said.

The researchers used data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the UN World Contraceptive Use report to assess both rates of prostate cancer and common methods of contraception.

"What we found was that in countries where the oral contraceptive was used more often, prostate cancer had a greater incidence," Margel said. But he stressed there may be many factors involved, and "this study does not establish cause and effect ... This is a very, very preliminary finding and we're not telling everybody to quit the pill." Confirming the effect of pill-based estrogen alone would take much more research.

While the amount of estrogen excreted by any individual is tiny, "when millions of women are doing it and for a long period of time, it may cause low environmental estrogen levels," Margel said.

Estrogen and estrogen-like chemicals are found in many commercial and cosmetic products, including pesticides. Studies have shown that male farmers exposed to estrogen-containing pesticides have a higher risk of prostate cancer compared with the general population.

Increasingly, compounds known as "endocrine disruptors" are being found in water, according to Fe de Leon, a researcher at the Canadian Environmental Law Association. These chemicals - such as DDT and BPA - are found in everyday objects such as plastic bottles, metal food cans, and detergents.

Society can't ignore the fact that estrogen and estrogen-mimicking substances may have a significant impact during an individual's development and could eventually lead to breast and prostate cancers, DeLeon said. "But it's very hard to make that distinction. It's hard to pinpoint which chemical's responsible for a particular health endpoint. It certainly warrants further investigation."

The study was published in BMJ Open.

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by thomasmc1957 November 16, 2011 10:56 AM EST: Drink carbon filtered water. NOT bottled water.; Reply to this comment


by WilliamHGathercole November 15, 2011 9:28 PM EST: Fe de Leon claims to be a researcher for CELA ... however Fe de Leon is NOT a scientific researcher nor an expert in pest control products.

In fact, Fe de Leon also operates with PollutionWatch, an Anti-Pesticide Organization that functions as a SHIELD receiving PROFIT from Canadian Environmental Law Association and Environmental Defence Canada.

As a REGISTERED CHARITY, Canadian Environmental Law Association CANNOT BE INVOLVED in PARTISAN POLITICAL ACTIVITIES, such as the PROHIBITION of pest control products.

Demands have been made for Canadian Environmental Law Association's registered charity tax exempt status TOTALLY REVOKED.

WILLIAM H. GATHERCOLE AND NORAH G

National Organization Responding Against HUJE that seek to harm the Green Space Industry ( NORAHG ).; Reply to this comment


by erasmus111 November 15, 2011 2:08 PM EST: I think that we need to face the fact that everything made by man is cancer causing.; Reply to this comment


by figtherm November 15, 2011 1:31 PM EST: What a sensationalist misleading headline and opener. The links to cancer hint at any endocrine disrupter, not just the pill. But it's cheap and easy for researchers to find data on pill users instead of the massive amount of endocrine-disrupting chemicals existing in our environment. Also a cheap media shot - readers deserve better.; Reply to this comment

by qmpash November 15, 2011 1:03 PM EST

How on earth could a pill, which is taken by women, affect prostate cancer in men? Is this a case of second-hand sex?

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by OrangPuteh November 17, 2011 12:45 PM EST: Help is available for your reading comprehension problem.

by rwgun November 15, 2011 12:22 PM EST

I would look to changes in behaviour that a person does when using birth-control of the suspect types. When using birth control that prevents the impregnation of the woman (like hormones or intrauterine devices) then intercourse that doesn't include physical barriers is less likely to be used. There is more physical contact between the man and the woman and therefore more chance of transfer of things such as hormones between the two people.

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by tennguy2 November 16, 2011 1:59 AM EST: Well said. I think you're right if this relation really does exist. Transmitted just like HIV, etc.