Can the IUD Increase the Risk of Breast Cancer?

The progesterone-containing IUD’s (Intra Uterine Device) Mirena and Skyla may increase the risk of breast cancer, according to a recent study. Finnish researchers noted when these IUD’s were used to treat excessively heavy menstrual flow, there was a 19% increase in the rate of breast cancers, especially between the ages of 45-49. However, the research does not say that this type of IUD causes breast cancer. Researchers noted, “one limitation of our study was that women suffering from heavy menstruation may, in fact, represent a selected group of women who may have other risk factors for cancer, such as factors related to lifestyle, genetic factors, just to name a few.” This study is the first linking premenopausal this type of IUD and breast cancer. Two earlier studies did not reveal an increased cancer risk, according to the study. The copper-containing IUD, Paragard, was not evaluated in this study. Read more here:

http://www.cnn.com/2014/07/08/health/iud-cancer-risk/index.html