Carcinoma of the breast and oral contraceptives

This paper presents an epidemiologic review of those studies which evaluated the connection between oral contraceptives (OCs) and the risk of breast cancer. The results of these studies were published over the period 1974-85 and several issues were evaluated. Examined were how certain OCs might increase the risk of breast cancer (depending on type of OC dose duration of use latency and recency) and how much certain groups of women were already at an increased risk for breast cancer. This includes those women with a positive family history of breast cancer those with forms of benign breast disease and older 1st-time mothers. At the same time there are many studies which suggest that the use of OCs has no influence on breast cancer development. This issue is also examined in greater detail. (authors modified) (summary in ENG)