Breast Cancer Risk Factors: Birth Control Pills

Current or recent use of birth control pills (oral contraceptives or “the pill”) is linked to a slight increase in the risk of breast cancer [13,42-45].

Studies show while women are taking birth control pills (and shortly after), their breast cancer risk is 20%-30% higher than for women who’ve never taken the pill [42,44-45].

However, this extra risk has a fairly small impact because the risk of breast cancer for most young women is low (and most women using birth control pills are young) [42,44-45]. So, even those who have a slightly higher risk are unlikely to get breast cancer.

Once women stop taking birth control pills, their risk of breast cancer begins to decrease [42,45-46]. After about 5 years, their risk of breast cancer is similar to risk among women who’ve never taken the pill [46].

For a summary of research studies on birth control pills and breast cancer, visit the Breast Cancer Research Studies section.

Learn about other factors linked to the risk of breast cancer.

Weighing the pros and cons of birth control pill use

Birth control pills have some risks including a small increased risk of breast cancer with recent or current use. However, in addition to preventing pregnancy, birth control pills decrease the risk of uterine and ovarian cancers [47-49].

Before making any decisions about birth control pills (or if you’re currently taking them and haven’t done so already), talk with your health care provider about the benefits and risks.

Lower-dose birth control pills

Overall, today’s lower-dose pills are linked to an increased breast cancer risk just like older, higher-dose forms of birth control pills [45].

Progestin-only pills (mini-pills)

Some lower-dose birth control pills contain progestin only, with no estrogen. They may be called mini-pills. Mini-pills often lower the number of periods a woman has during a year, and periods may become irregular.

The use of the progestin-only mini-pill norethisterone doesn’t appear to be linked to breast cancer [45].

Before using any type of birth control pills (or if you’re currently taking them and haven’t done so already), talk with your health care provider about their benefits and risks. 

Other hormonal contraceptives

Like birth control pills, some other contraceptives contain (or release) hormones.

Some contain progestin alone:

• Depo Provera (an injected contraceptive)
• Hormone-releasing IUDs (intrauterine devices)

Some contain both estrogen and progestin:

• Birth control patch
• Vaginal ring

Findings on these products and breast cancer risk are discussed below. However, data on these products, especially studies with long-term follow-up, are limited. These topics are under study.

Before using any type of birth control with hormones (or if you’re currently using one and haven’t done so already), talk with your health care provider about its benefits and risks.

Depo Provera

Findings on Depo Provera have shown no link to breast cancer risk overall [45,50].

However, a possible increase in risk has been found among current, longer-term users compared to women who’ve never used Depo Provera [50].

Hormone-releasing IUDs

Most findings on hormone-releasing IUDs show no link to breast cancer risk [51-54]. Although these IUDs release hormones in the uterus, the hormones don’t seem to travel to other parts of the body [54].

Birth control patch and vaginal ring

Use of a birth control patch or a vaginal ring doesn’t appear to be linked to breast cancer risk [45]. However, data are limited.

Learn about other factors linked to the risk of breast cancer.

*Please note, the information provided within Komen Perspectives articles is only current as of the date of posting. Therefore, some information may be out of date.

Updated 04/24/24