If you have a history of breast cancer in the family can you still take oral contraception?

Answer 1

You should be ok to take the progesterone only pill, but not the combined pill which contains eostrogen. Breast cancer is oestrogen dependent. Visit your local family planning clinic, they will discuss all the options with you.

Answer 2

Women whose sisters or mothers have had breast cancer are at increased risk of developing the disease, and an examination of data from a multigenerational family study suggests that their risk is further elevated if they use oral contraceptives.' Overall, among sisters and daughters of women with breast cancer, those who had ever used the pill had 3.3 times the breast cancer risk of those who had never used this method; the relative risk increased if breast or ovarian cancer occurred more than once among blood relatives. The elevated risk associated with pill use appeared only among women who had taken oral contraceptives during or before 1975; after that year, all oral contraceptives introduced to the market contained less than 50 mcg of estrogen.

The study, which took place between 1991 and 1996, followed up families of 462 women who had had breast cancer diagnosed between 1944 and 1952. Researchers conducted telephone interviews with 6,150 adult relatives of these women: 394 sisters and daughters (first-degree relatives), 3,002 nieces and granddaughters (second-degree), and 2,754 women who had married into the families. Interviews covered participants' cancer history and risk factors for breast cancer, including ever-use of oral contraceptives and the ages at which pill use began and ended.

Answer 3

It depends on the doctor that you go to and if they know your family risk. If you have a family history of breast cancer you should limit the amount of estrogen that you take. You should also never take a birth control pill that does not also have progesterone. There are a lot of formularies for birth control pills and hopefully you and your doctor can come up with something that works best for you.
Many individuals with family history do not realize that they are at increased risk for ovarian cancer as well.
Depending on your age, you might want to talk to your doctor to see if you carry the BRCA1or BRCA2 gene. Recommendations for those at risk are monthly breast self-exams by age 18-21.
Annual or semiannual clinical breast exams beginning at age 25-35.
Annual mammograms beginning at age 25-35
Annual or semiannual transvaginal ultrasound and a CA-125 test to screen for ovarian cancer beginning at age 25-35
For those carrying the gene, many opt for preventative surgery once their family status is complete (meaning they have all the children they want).

For more information visit the following websites:
www.facingourrisk.org
www.nsgc.org
www.youngsurvival.org
www.ovarian.org
www.myriadtests.com email: [e-mail]

Answer 4

yes you can. however, if the history was very strong suggesting that you are going to get it then i would not. for example, if your mom and her mom and all of their sisters had breast cancer i would avoid it. if your grandma or aunt got breast cancer in her 60's-go ahead

Answer 5

yes but best speak to your GP you
can get scan too