Hormonal content and potency of oral contraceptives and breast cancer risk among young women

2003

Oral Contraceptives and Breast Cancer Risk in Young Women

Sample size: 3069 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Althuis M D, Brogan D R, Coates R J, Daling J R, Gammon M D, Malone K E, Schoenberg J B, Brinton L A

Primary Institution: National Cancer Institute

Hypothesis

Does the hormonal content and potency of oral contraceptives affect breast cancer risk among young women?

Conclusion

The study found that breast cancer risk increases with higher doses of estrogen and progestin potency in oral contraceptives, especially among women younger than 35.

Supporting Evidence

Women under 35 who used oral contraceptives within 5 years had a breast cancer risk ratio of 2.22.
Risk increased with higher doses of ethinyl oestradiol, particularly in younger women.
High progestin potency pills were associated with a risk ratio of 8.11 among women under 35.

Takeaway

Using certain birth control pills can make young women more likely to get breast cancer, especially if those pills have a lot of hormones.

Methodology

The study analyzed data from a population-based case-control study involving interviews about oral contraceptive use among women aged 20-54 diagnosed with breast cancer.