Birth control and breast cancer risk among younger women

https://www.facingourrisk.org/XRAY/birth-control-and-breast-cancer-risk

Full article: https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1700732

On December 7, 2017 the New England Journal of Medicine published results from a study by Lina Mørrch of the University of Copenhagen and colleagues showing that hormonal contraceptives (birth control) increase the risk of breast cancer. The study is unique because it is one of the first to specifically assess the breast cancer risk associated with newer, low-dosage methods of contraception. The large and significant effort analyzed medical data of nearly 1.8 million young women in Denmark on average for over 10.9 years. Results were covered widely in the U.S. by many major media outlets, including the New York Times, USA Today, Forbes and Time. (12/14/17)

Questions To Ask Your Health Care Provider

I’m currently taking birth control pills; do I need to switch to some other type of contraceptive?
What are my options for non-hormonal contraceptive options?
Does my IUD contain progestin? Is there another, effective type of IUD that does not?
Given my risk for both breast and ovarian cancer, do the benefits of oral contraceptives outweigh the risks?

About FORCE

FORCE is a national nonprofit organization, established in 1999. Our mission is to improve the lives of individuals and families affected by adult hereditary cancers.