Contraception after breast cancer: a retrospective review of the practice among French gynecologists in the 2000's.

PURPOSE OF INVESTIGATION: To describe the French practices regarding contraception after breast cancer in the 2000s. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 2500 forms were sent to gynecologists practicing in France. Inclusion criteria were premenopausal patients who had a history of breast cancer and who had been prescribed contraception after diagnosis. Between June 1 2002 and January 1 2003 197 evaluable responses were retrieved. RESULTS: The median age of the sample was 38.5 years. The most commonly used form of contraception was an intrauterine device (n = 144 73.1%). Hormonal contraception was prescribed for 42 patients (21.3%) and other methods were used in 29 patients (14.7%) (Condoms n = 14 tubal sterilization n = 7 and others n = 8). Recurrence occurred in 27 patients (13%); 2.9% in the progestin group 16.3% in the IUD group and 14.8% with the other methods). CONCLUSIONS: It is necessary to evaluate current contraception practices after breast cancer to evaluate the efficacy and safety of contraception in these patients.