Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women globally. In 2022 alone, around 2.3 million women were diagnosed with the disease, and approximately 670,000 died.
That’s not it.
WHO has also projected that, if current trends continue, both incidence and mortality will rise by about 40% by 2050 in many regions, including those with limited health infrastructure. Furthermore, disparities in survival are stark: in high-income countries, 5-year survival often exceeds 90%, but in India it is estimated at 66%, and in parts of sub-Saharan Africa it drops to 40%.
Video
Now, breast cancer is caused by a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors that lead to the uncontrolled growth of breast cells. The key causes and risk factors include inherited genetic mutations like those in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, prolonged exposure to hormones like estrogen, aging, lifestyle choices such as obesity, alcohol consumption, and smoking, and radiation exposure.
A major study has now sounded a warning for millions of women worldwide: a commonly used daily medication is now confirmed to be linked with an increased risk of breast cancer. According to new research published in JAMA Oncology, certain hormonal contraceptives — especially those that are progestin-only or use specific synthetic progestins — carry a measurable increase in breast cancer risk. While the medication has long been considered safe for most women, the fresh evidence suggests a need for informed discussions between patients and doctors.
What does research say
A large population-based cohort study in Sweden, involving more than 2 million women aged 13 to 49 and tracking over 21 million person-years, found that use of hormonal contraceptives was associated with a higher incidence of breast cancer. The study reports that the hazard ratio (HR) for ever-use of any hormonal contraceptive was about 1.24 (i.e., a 24% relative increase compared to never-users).
What did the study reveal?
As per the key findings:
Women who have ever used hormonal contraceptives had an increased breast cancer risk (HR 1.24; 95% CI 1.20-1.28) compared with never-users.
The risk varied by formulation: for progestin-only pills, the HR was approximately 1.21 (95% CI 1.17-1.25), while for combined estrogen-progestin pills it was about 1.12 (95% CI 1.07-1.17).
Among specific progestin types, the synthetic progestin called Desogestrel (used alone or in combination) showed higher HRs (e.g., oral desogestrel-only HR ≈ 1.18; desogestrel-combined HR ≈ 1.19) than levonorgestrel-based formulations (HR ≈ 1.09 for combined oral levonorgestrel).
The excess absolute risk was modest in individual terms: roughly 13 additional breast-cancer cases per 100,000 person-years of users of any hormonal contraceptive.
Why these findings matter
For starters, hormonal contraceptives are widely used globally — for pregnancy prevention, menstrual regulation, acne treatment, endometriosis management, and other reasons. Now, the aforementioned study points to a nuanced risk profile — while the relative increases are not huge, because so many women use these medications, the population impact is non-trivial. Moreover, the finding that one formulation (desogestrel) may carry a higher risk is new and requires consideration when prescribing.
Limitations and important context
Although the data provides a crucial insight for women’s overall health, it’s important to remember that the study is observational. It cannot prove causation — only suggests association.
The increased risk must be considered alongside the well-documented benefits of hormonal contraceptives — including protection against unintended pregnancy and reduced risks of ovarian and endometrial cancer. Additionally, the absolute risk for an individual woman remains small. Most women using these medications will not develop breast cancer due solely to their contraceptive use.
Furthermore, the study reveals that the duration of use and timing matter: i.e., longer use was associated with a higher risk (for example, 5-10 years of use HR ≈ 1.34) in the Swedish study.
What women and healthcare providers should consider
Individual risk assessment: Women should discuss contraceptive options with their healthcare provider, especially if they have other breast cancer risk factors (family history, genetic predisposition, prior breast conditions, etc.).
Formulation and follow-up matters: The study suggests that progestin-only pills and desogestrel-based products may carry a higher risk than some other formulations. The prescription should be made keeping that in mind. Moreover, one should monitor the duration of use, transitions between formulations, and periodic reevaluation of risk-benefit.
Balance benefits and risks: Contraceptives provide many benefits beyond pregnancy prevention. The new findings do not mean all use should stop, but they highlight the need and importance of informed choice.
Regular screening and vigilance: Women using hormonal contraceptives should continue routine breast-health screening, self-exams, and lifestyle risk-reducing behaviors (maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, avoiding smoking, exercising).
That’s not it.
WHO has also projected that, if current trends continue, both incidence and mortality will rise by about 40% by 2050 in many regions, including those with limited health infrastructure. Furthermore, disparities in survival are stark: in high-income countries, 5-year survival often exceeds 90%, but in India it is estimated at 66%, and in parts of sub-Saharan Africa it drops to 40%.
Video
Now, breast cancer is caused by a combination of genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors that lead to the uncontrolled growth of breast cells. The key causes and risk factors include inherited genetic mutations like those in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, prolonged exposure to hormones like estrogen, aging, lifestyle choices such as obesity, alcohol consumption, and smoking, and radiation exposure.
A major study has now sounded a warning for millions of women worldwide: a commonly used daily medication is now confirmed to be linked with an increased risk of breast cancer. According to new research published in JAMA Oncology, certain hormonal contraceptives — especially those that are progestin-only or use specific synthetic progestins — carry a measurable increase in breast cancer risk. While the medication has long been considered safe for most women, the fresh evidence suggests a need for informed discussions between patients and doctors.
What does research say
A large population-based cohort study in Sweden, involving more than 2 million women aged 13 to 49 and tracking over 21 million person-years, found that use of hormonal contraceptives was associated with a higher incidence of breast cancer. The study reports that the hazard ratio (HR) for ever-use of any hormonal contraceptive was about 1.24 (i.e., a 24% relative increase compared to never-users).
What did the study reveal? As per the key findings:
Women who have ever used hormonal contraceptives had an increased breast cancer risk (HR 1.24; 95% CI 1.20-1.28) compared with never-users.
The risk varied by formulation: for progestin-only pills, the HR was approximately 1.21 (95% CI 1.17-1.25), while for combined estrogen-progestin pills it was about 1.12 (95% CI 1.07-1.17).
Among specific progestin types, the synthetic progestin called Desogestrel (used alone or in combination) showed higher HRs (e.g., oral desogestrel-only HR ≈ 1.18; desogestrel-combined HR ≈ 1.19) than levonorgestrel-based formulations (HR ≈ 1.09 for combined oral levonorgestrel).
The excess absolute risk was modest in individual terms: roughly 13 additional breast-cancer cases per 100,000 person-years of users of any hormonal contraceptive.
Why these findings matter
For starters, hormonal contraceptives are widely used globally — for pregnancy prevention, menstrual regulation, acne treatment, endometriosis management, and other reasons. Now, the aforementioned study points to a nuanced risk profile — while the relative increases are not huge, because so many women use these medications, the population impact is non-trivial. Moreover, the finding that one formulation (desogestrel) may carry a higher risk is new and requires consideration when prescribing.
Limitations and important context
Although the data provides a crucial insight for women’s overall health, it’s important to remember that the study is observational. It cannot prove causation — only suggests association.
The increased risk must be considered alongside the well-documented benefits of hormonal contraceptives — including protection against unintended pregnancy and reduced risks of ovarian and endometrial cancer. Additionally, the absolute risk for an individual woman remains small. Most women using these medications will not develop breast cancer due solely to their contraceptive use.
Furthermore, the study reveals that the duration of use and timing matter: i.e., longer use was associated with a higher risk (for example, 5-10 years of use HR ≈ 1.34) in the Swedish study.
What women and healthcare providers should consider
Individual risk assessment: Women should discuss contraceptive options with their healthcare provider, especially if they have other breast cancer risk factors (family history, genetic predisposition, prior breast conditions, etc.).
Formulation and follow-up matters: The study suggests that progestin-only pills and desogestrel-based products may carry a higher risk than some other formulations. The prescription should be made keeping that in mind. Moreover, one should monitor the duration of use, transitions between formulations, and periodic reevaluation of risk-benefit.
Balance benefits and risks: Contraceptives provide many benefits beyond pregnancy prevention. The new findings do not mean all use should stop, but they highlight the need and importance of informed choice.
Regular screening and vigilance: Women using hormonal contraceptives should continue routine breast-health screening, self-exams, and lifestyle risk-reducing behaviors (maintaining a healthy weight, limiting alcohol, avoiding smoking, exercising).
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