The birth control pill and breast cancer

According to the Mayo Clinic, research [2] on the link between oral contraceptives (OCs) and breast cancer shows mixed results. Recent studies indicate that newer low-dose forms of OCs do not increase the risk of breast cancer. However the true story may be more nuanced ? some studies show OC use increases the risk of breast cancer among women with the abnormal BRCA1 gene, but not among women with the abnormal BRCA2 gene. Since you have a close family member with a history of breast cancer, you may or may not have inherited an abnormal gene such as BRCA1 or BRCA2, either of which may be linked to cancer, depending on the particular gene mutation. On the other hand, OCs may protect against breast and ovarian cancer by stabilizing hormones, so the pill is sometimes recommended for women with a family history of these cancers. Your health care provider can help you decide if OCs are a good choice for you and discuss the option of genetic testing and counseling for abnormal BRCA genes.