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New study raises birth control pill concerns

11/18/11

Researchers have found a correlation between oral contraceptives and prostate cancer that may indicate exposure to estrogen from oral contraceptives causes the disease in men.

For the study, Dr. David Margel and Dr. Neil Fleshner of the University of Toronto examined the prostate cancer mortality rates and contraceptive use in 88 countries. They found that countries where the highest number of women use oral contraceptives have the highest prostate cancer death rate.

"Several studies now have found an association between estrogen exposure and prostate cancer," said Margel. "We think this is environmental. [Estrogen] goes into the water, into our food chain."

Margel added, "We can't establish a cause-and-effect relationship. We definitely don't think the take-home message is women should stop taking the pill."

Oral contraceptives contain a type of estrogen called ethinyloestradiol, which is excreted in the urine of women who take the pill. The hormone ends up in the water supply and is passed on to plants and animals - including humans - through the food chain.

According to the National Cancer Institute, between 2004 and 2008, the average age of prostate cancer deaths was 80, which is a statistic that may encourage senior citizens to invest in life insurance.

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