Do hormonal contraceptives increase breast cancer risk? Insights from a 30-year bibliographic analysis
The endocrine background of breast cancer (BCa) has raised questions about the risk associated with the use of hormonal contraceptives (HC). Factors, such as age, family history, duration of use, and time since the last HC dose play a role in the pathophysiology of BCa. This review aims to analyze 3...
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| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Permanyer
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Medicina Universitaria |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.medicinauniversitaria.org/frame_eng.php?id=283 |
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| Summary: | The endocrine background of breast cancer (BCa) has raised questions about the risk associated with the use of hormonal contraceptives (HC). Factors, such as age, family history, duration of use, and time since the last HC dose play a role in the pathophysiology of BCa. This review aims to analyze 30 years of evidence on the relationship between HC use and the risk of developing BCa, highlighting the most relevant and recent findings. A comprehensive bibliographic search was conducted in English and Spanish using the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases, with keywords including HC, BCa, risk factors, and hormones. Original and review articles published between 1993 and 2023 were included. After inclusion criteria, 17 articles were selected for analysis. Results suggest a possible association between HC use and increased BCa risk, although this relationship depends on multiple variables such as duration of use, specific formulation, and individual risk factors. Furthermore, ongoing changes in contraceptive formulations require continuous reassessment of potential risks. In conclusion, although evidence indicates a certain link between HC and BCa, contraceptive choice should be based on an individualized evaluation of each patient, considering genetic predisposition, personal history, and lifestyle factors. This approach supports informed and safe decision-making in reproductive health.
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| ISSN: | 1665-5796 2530-0709 |