The benefits of the contraceptive pill far outweigh the risks

A study by researchers in Scotland confirms that for most women who take the contraceptive pill, the benefits far outweigh any potential risks.

Since they were first introduced in the early 1960s more than 300 million women have used oral contraceptives.

This latest study by researchers at Aberdeen University has analysed data over almost four decades and is one of the largest and longest follow-up studies to examine the issue.

The study included 46,000 women followed for 36 years from the late 1960s through to 2004, when most were in their early to late 60s.

The study began in 1968, and updates on the women's health were provided every six months by their doctors which continued even if the women moved to a new doctor.

The average age of the women in the study was 29 at recruitment between 1968 and 1969 and about half used oral contraceptives while the other half did not.

The researchers were able to obtain details of whether they developed cancer, or died from National Health Service (NHS) central registries.

The researchers found that the risk of cancer was up to 12% lower among those women who had taken the pill and the risk of large bowel, uterine and ovarian cancer was statistically significant.