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Does The Mirena IUD Increase The Risk Of Breast Cancer?

Posted on Fri, 13 Nov 2015

Question: I had a Mirena inserted 5 years ago when I was 42 and it has worked really well, i.e., stopped the heavy bleeding each month, but last year I had a routine mammogram and it was discovered that I had DCIS so I had surgery to remove per-cancerous cells which was successful and I have just had my follow-up mammogram/ultrasound and the results were clear. My breast surgeon has recommended that I have the Mirena removed (I had a new one inserted early this year) because there is believed to be a link between oestrogen and breast cancer and he said that this may bring on early menopause if I haven't already gone through menopause during the last 5 years while I have had the Mirena. What would your recommendation be, i.e, have the Mirena removed and risk going into early menopause or leave it in and risk maybe contracting breast cancer?

Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I would insist you to get the Mirena removed.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

Estrogen is known to predispose to breast cancer. Since you already have had precancerous lesions in your breast, your surgeon has a valid point in suggesting you to remove the Mirena. However, at your age menopause is already likely (I would not consider chances of an early menopause) and would insist you to get the Mirena removed.

Let me know if you have any other specific query and I would be glad to help.

Regards

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar