Hormonal Contraceptives Increase Breast Cancer Risk in Women of Reproductive Age

A recent comprehensive study published in the Cancers Journal indicated a higher risk of breast cancer (BC) among women who have used hormonal contraceptives (HC) during their lifetime. This study shows the intricate relationship between hormonal contraceptives and breast cancer with a special focus on women of reproductive age.

The data from observational studies around the years 2015 to 2022 were pooled. This examined a total of 724 studies and narrowed down to 22 for meta-analysis by including 19 case-control studies and 3 cohort studies. The findings of the study revealed a significantly elevated risk of developing breast cancer in ever-users of hormonal contraceptives (pooled OR = 1.33; 95% CI = 1.19 to 1.49). The risk was found to be intensified in case-control studies (pooled OR = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.21 to 1.70) and in studies strictly defining menopausal status (pooled OR = 1.48; 95% CI, 1.10 to 2.00).

The study suggests a urging caution in interpreting the results because of the substantial heterogeneity (>70%) among studies. Factors like study design, variable measurement, confounders, and potential publication biased the contribution to the complexity. While the overall risk of breast cancer appeared to be elevated in users or ever-users of modern hormonal contraceptives, the findings emphasize the need for careful consideration of these variables when interpreting and applying the results in clinical practice.

This study contributes to the ongoing void surrounding the impact of hormonal contraceptives on women's health. These findings highlight the importance of continuous research and a precise understanding of the diverse factors influencing the risk of breast cancer in the context of hormonal contraceptive use among women of reproductive age.

Source:

Torres-de la Roche, L. A., Acevedo-Mesa, A., Lizarazo, I. L., Devassy, R., Becker, S., Krentel, H., & De Wilde, R. L. (2023). Hormonal Contraception and the Risk of Breast Cancer in Women of Reproductive Age: A Meta-Analysis. In Cancers (Vol. 15, Issue 23, p. 5624). MDPI AG. https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15235624