The effect of hormonal contraception on the risk of breast cancer: A review

Abstract

Hormonal-induced changes in the breast occur due to both endogenous and exogenous sex hormones. For two decades, the safety of hormonal contraceptives (HC) in terms of their effect on breast tissue has been discussed in the literature. The pleiotropic effect of the components in the combined HC, on the one hand, prevents unwanted pregnancy; on the other hand, they help to maintain good health of women of childbearing age due to a wide range of non-contraceptive effects (eliminating hyperandrogenism manifestations, reducing the pain severity during menstruation and the menstrual blood loss, the risk of recurrence of functional ovarian cysts, oncoprotective effect due to reducing the risk of ovarian, endometrial, colorectal, pancreatic, and lung cancer). However, according to epidemiological studies, in addition to the beneficial effects, there are risks that require further study, including the controversial impact of HC on the oncogenesis and progression of breast cancer. In addition, some young women with breast cancer experience induced menopause after antitumor treatment. However, amenorrhea is not a marker for complete disabling of ovarian function, and pregnancy is associated with a risk of disease recurrence or progression. Therefore, in each case, it is necessary to determine the need for an effective and safe method of contraception.