No pill--breast cancer link. (FYI).

Neither current nor former pill use increases the risk of breast cancer among women aged 35-64, who have the highest incidence of the disease. (1) In a population-based study of nearly 5,000 women with breast cancer and a similar number of cancer-free controls, current and previous pill users had essentially the same risk of cancer as never-users when a wide range of risk-related factors were taken into account. Duration of pill use, age at initiation of pill use, estrogen dose and amount of time elapsed since last use also showed no association with breast cancer risk. Results were similar regardless of women's family history of breast cancer, body mass index or menopausal status; moreover, the findings were the same for women younger than 45 and those aged 45-64. The authors of an editorial accompanying the study write that "the results ... should be reassuring to the millions of women who take oral contraceptives." (2)

(1.) Marchbanks PA et al., Oral contraceptives and the risk of breast cancer, New England Journal of Medicine, 2002, 346(26) 2025-2032.

(2.) Davidson NE and Helzlsouer KJ, Good news about oral contraceptives, New England Journal of Medicine, 2002, 346(26):2078-2079.

FYI is compiled and written by Dore Hollander, executive editor of Perspective on Sexual and Reproductive Health.