Hormone Pills and Breast Cancer Risk

For decades, young women have been offered oestrogen and/or progestogen-containing medications to help with gynaecological conditions such as infrequent, irregular or painful periods, Polymetabolic Endocrine Syndrome- previously called Polycycstic Ovarian Syndrome – as well as contraception. 

Some examples of these medications include:

• the combined pill – containing both oestrogen and a synthetic progesterone known as a progestogen
• the progestogen only pill, known as the mini-pill
• long-acting depot progestogen injections
• progestogen implants 
• progestogen-containing coils such as Mirena IUS
  

Over this time there have been many research studies looking at the effect of these hormones on breast tissue and whether there is an increase in breast cancer risk, in those women who have taken these hormones. It is usually young women who use these hormones.Therefore, it is really important to ensure that there are no harmful effects for  their future. Research studies have shown that breast cancer incidence is slightly increased by all these hormonal methods, after taking them for 2 years. This is only a very slight increase and there is no lasting effect once you have stopped them for 10 years. Senior doctors advise that this should not affect young women taking these hormones but that if there is a strong family history of breast cancer in the family then patients should discuss this with their doctor or prescriber. This risk needs to be revisited as women age, as their social needs and breast cancer risk will vary. Taking the combined pill (oestrogen/ progestogen) for 4 years will however reduce your risk of ovarian cancer and this protection will last a further 15 years. This may be useful in those with abnormal BRCA genes who are at increased risk of developing ovarian cancer.