Combined Oral Contraceptive Use and Breast Cancer Risk: Select Considerations for Clinicians

Abstract

Combined oral contraceptives (COCs) are commonly used by individuals for contraceptive and noncontraceptive purposes, such as the management of dysmenorrhea or to reduce risk for ovarian and endometrial cancer. However, a common consideration that continues to arise is whether COC use increases breast cancer risk. Many researchers have investigated this, but study results are varied and may be affected by variables such as hormone type, an individual's age, and the duration of COC use. In this article, we summarize select breast cancer risk considerations regarding COC use to assist clinicians when counseling individuals considering using oral contraceptives.

Keywords: birth control; breast cancer; combined oral contraceptives; contraceptive; estrogen; hormone; progestin; risk; women’s health.