Safer Forms of Birth Control

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/12/12/opinion/birth-control.html

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To the Editor:

Re “Many Modern Contraceptives Still Linked to Breast Cancer” (news article, Dec. 7):

As a young woman who has taken oral contraceptives for several years, I’m frustrated by new findings on the cancer risks associated with modern hormonal birth control. The risk is small, but concerning, and it signifies an alarming failure of medical professionals to assess the products they actively encourage women to use.

That doctors had “no idea” how modern hormonal methods fared in terms of breast cancer risk before this study conveys tremendous disregard for women’s health. Given that American women rely on oral contraceptives more than any other form of nonpermanent birth control, it is unbelievable that the medical community had not already completed a comprehensive risk assessment for modern contraceptives.

As funding for birth control research and development declines, it feels as though women have few long-term options that sidestep the risks of hormonal methods. I’d like to see renewed research on new or better birth control products — ones that are safe and convenient, and more equitably incorporate men in pregnancy prevention.

ISABEL DOCAMPO, PRINCETON, N.J.

The writer is pursuing a master’s degree in international development and public health at Princeton University.