OMG, The Pill Causes Cancer?! Here’s What TikTok Isn’t Telling You.

NEWS | RONGOA / DRUGS

Written by Mila Van Der Plas (she/her) | @mila.vdp | News Editor

If your FYP has been serving up videos of creators urgently declaring, "The pill has just been reclassified as a Group 1 carcinogen," then congratulations, you've officially joined the latest cycle of viral health hysteria.

According to these clips, hormonal contraception is now “as dangerous as tobacco, alcohol, and hard drugs,” and users are being told to throw their packs in the bin immediately. The videos are dramatic, persuasive, and let’s be honest: terrifying if you’re someone who takes the pill or has taken it in the past.

Is this claim accurate, though? Did the World Health Organization (WHO) suddenly wake up last week and land this bombshell on us? And, above all, what are the implications for your health?

As ever: breathe, wait, and read the facts.

First, what's a Group 1 Carcinogen?

We need to decode the jargon to understand the TikTok outrage.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), a WHO specialised agency for cancer research, categorises substances based on how likely they are to cause cancer. A "Group 1 carcinogen" is a substance for which there is sufficient evidence that it causes cancer in humans. That does not necessarily mean that all people who use it will get cancer. It means that the link has been solidly established in research.

Substances in this category include:

• Tobacco

• Alcohol

• Processed meat

• Ultraviolet (UV) radiation

• Air pollution

So yes, when people say the pill is now "in the same category" as smoking or drinking, they're not entirely wrong. But here's the part TikTok leaves out: the WHO classified combined oral contraceptives (COCs) as Group 1 carcinogens in 2005. This isn’t breaking news; it’s two decades old.

The classification is based on long-term studies showing a small increased risk of certain types of cancer, primarily breast, cervical, and liver cancer, among long-term users. However, the same contraceptives also significantly reduce the risk of two other major cancers: ovarian and endometrial. This is not fearmongering, It's biology. Hormonal fluctuations can have both protective and risk-enhancing properties when it comes to cancer.

Despite the viral scare, the medical consensus remains unequivocally clear: the pill is safe and effective for most users, especially when prescribed and supervised by a physician. Dr. Jennifer Gunter, a Canadian OB-GYN and one of the most respected voices in reproductive health, explains it this way:

"The increased risk of cancer from the pill is small and must be weighed against its benefits - which are regulating the menstrual cycle, reducing menstrual pain, reducing the risk of certain cancers, treating endometriosis and other ailments, and, naturally, preventing unwanted pregnancy.".

That is, hormonal birth control is dangerous but so is any medication, and those dangers don't always outweigh the benefits. For many people, in many circumstances, the benefits of the pill do outweigh its dangers.

So if this classification has been around since 2005, why is it suddenly blowing up on TikTok?

A few possibilities:

• An re-emerged article or quote out of context went viral

• Content creators are seeking clicks and drama

• There's also a wider boom in online health misinformation, especially targeting women's reproductive health

• It's worth remembering that TikTok, educational though it is, isn't peer-reviewed science. And though the app hosts a mix of credible sources and medical professionals, it's also a petri dish for alarmist content designed to get views.

If you're on hormonal contraception and this news has left you feeling scared, confused, or conflicted, that's totally reasonable. But the answer isn't to panic-cancel your prescription or take a viral video at face value for medical advice.

So, rather than discuss it with your mates, discuss it with your doctor or local sexual health clinic. Ask questions. Get informed. There are numerous types of contraception hormonal and non-hormonal and various things work for various individuals based on their age, family history, medical history, and personal choice. For some, the pill is ideal. For others, something different may be better. Either way, the choice ought to be guided by evidence and professional guidance - not by TikTok trends.

Let's Break It Down: What does Fact vs. Fiction look like?

Claim	Truth
"The pill just got listed as a carcinogen"	False. It's been listed since 2005.
"It's as bad as smoking"	Misleading. Category = same, but level of risk = very different.
"The pill causes cancer"	Half true. Slightly raises risk for some, lowers risk for others.
"No one told us!"	Not true. Common knowledge among medics and public guidelines.
"Everyone should stop taking it"	Bad advice. Talk to a doctor first.

Social media can start helpful conversations about health but also bring conversations that lead to confusion, anxiety, and misinformation. The pill, like every medical treatment, is not without risk. But the risks are small, well-studied, and for many people, outweighed by the benefits. It remains one of the most utilised and studied medications in the world.

The next time your feed attempts to alarm you into indignation? Do what good students do: research, ask questions, and think critically. Your health deserves better than a 15-second hot take.

References / Sources

1. World Health Organization (WHO). Carcinogenicity of combined hormonal contraceptives and combined menopausal treatment. The Lancet Oncology, Volume 6, Issue 8, 2005, Pages 552–553. DOI: 10.1016/S1470-2045(05)70273-2

2. Cancer Research UK. Does the contraceptive pill increase cancer risk? https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/causes-of-cancer/hormones-and-cancer/does-the-contraceptive-pill-increase-cancer-risk

3. National Cancer Institute (US). Oral Contraceptives and Cancer Risk. https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/hormones/oral-contraceptives-fact-sheet

4. The Vagina Bible by Dr. Jen Gunter (2019). Harper Wave Publishing. (Dr. Gunter also writes regularly on Substack and Twitter/X about myths in reproductive health: https://vajenda.substack.com)

5. Euroverify (via Euronews). Fact check: Is the contraceptive pill a carcinogen like tobacco or alcohol? https://www.euronews.com/next/2024/07/15/fact-check-is-the-contraceptive-pill-a-carcinogen-like-tobacco-or-alcohol

Design Suggestions for Print or Digital Layout:

Title Design:

• Use bold, all-caps title with a subheading in italic for contrast.

• Option to split headline:

  • THE PILL, TIKTOK & CANCER CLAIMS (title)

  • What’s Actually True? (subtitle)

Pull Quotes:

• Boxed quotes from doctors or experts in larger font, possibly in a different colour or with a highlight box.

• Example: “The increased cancer risk is very small and must be weighed against the benefits.” — Dr. Jennifer Gunter

Infographic Box/Table:

• Use a full-width chart or two-column comparison for the TikTok vs. Reality section.

• Clear divider line or shaded background for easy scanning.

Side Column or Highlighted Box:

• “Fast Facts” or “Did You Know?” section including:

  • The year WHO listed COCs as Group 1 (2005)

  • Common misconceptions vs truth

  • Stats on pill users worldwide

Imagery:

• Illustration or subtle photograph of a blister pack of pills, not fear-based.

• Optional: an abstract graphic with TikTok icons swirling into a medical file to show the clash of hype vs health.