HealthFirst

Breast cancer and hormones

11th May 2023

Posted by Dr Michelle Wright

In the second part of the mini-series on breast cancer, Dr Michelle looks at new evidence around the hormonal contraception and breast cancer risk.

We’ve known for some time that taking the combined oral contraceptive pill – containing both oestrogen and progestogen – carries a small increased risk of breast cancer.  

But we didn’t really know much about breast cancer risk for progestogen-only contraception: the mini-pill, progestogen implants, or injectable progestogen until the results of a study carried out by the University of Oxford in the UK were published in March this year. It looked at around 9500 women under 50 diagnosed with breast cancer between 1996 and 2017, comparing them to around 18,000 women without breast cancer. 

The findings showed that 44% of women diagnosed with breast cancer compared to 39% of women in the control group had been prescribed hormonal contraceptives for an average of 3 years before their breast cancer diagnosis. And the study concluded that there was a 20-30% increase in breast cancer risk for women currently, or recently using any type of hormonal contraception.  

Of course, this made the headlines because it sounds like a big percentage increase, as relative risks always do.  

Listen on to find out Dr Michelle’s advice.

Subscribe to this podcast

More Articles

Tick Tock

Physical Health, Podcast

Tick Tock

Tick season is here – and with new risk zones and updated vaccination guidelines, especially for young children, tune in as Dr Michelle Wright unpacks the latest health advice and what it means for your family.

12th May 2025

Health Benefits of Chocolate

Physical Health, Podcast

Health Benefits of Chocolate

With Easter behind us – whether it came in the form of a bunny, an egg, or something a bit fancier, many of us have indulged in a little extra chocolate. A good moment for Dr Michelle to look at what role chocolate can play in supporting your health.

2nd May 2025

MenoPower

Event, Podcast

MenoPower

Tune in to the Breakfast Show on World Radio Switzerland as Dr Michelle sits down with Katt Cullen to discuss menopause and MenoPower — a groundbreaking not-for-profit event in Geneva.

25th April 2025

Stay in Touch

Keep up to date with all our latest training and courses