Oral contraceptives can cause breast cancer

University students are at a risk of developing breast cancer if they don’t reduce on the use of contraceptives.

Majority of university female students use birth control pills to avoid conceiving but some studies have suggested that those who use oral contraceptives are at a risk of developing breast cancer as compared to those who have never used them.

Other studies, however, show no such effect. Researchers continue to study the conflicting results in these trials to determine if birth control pills, synthetic hormones (estrogen and progesterone/progestin), play a role in breast cancer.

However, hormone replacement therapy with estrogens and progestins have been linked to a higher risk of breast cancer development.

Below are factors that can lead to breast cancer

• A personal history of breast cancer or some noncancerous breast diseases.
• A family history of breast cancer, particularly in a mother, daughter, or sister.
• History of radiation therapy to the chest before age 40.
• Evidence of a specific genetic defect (BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation); women who carry defects on either of these genes are at greater risk for developing breast cancer.
• A Gail Index score of at least 1.7% for the development of breast cancer within 5 years, or 20% lifetime risk (to age 90). (The Gail Index uses risk factors such as age, family history of breast cancer, age of first menstrual period and first pregnancy, and number of breast biopsies, to calculate a woman’s risk of developing breast cancer within the next five years.)
• Other risk factors include heavy alcohol use, high intake of red meat, dense breasts, obesity, and race.