Oral contraceptives and prognosis of breast cancer in women aged 35 to 50.
Among 193 breast cancer patients aged 35-50 years, there was no appreciable difference in the extent of disease at diagnosis between 53 oral contraceptive (OC) users and 140 OC non-users. There was no overall significant difference between OC users and non-users for either the disease-free interval (P = .81), metastatic period (P = .41), or survival (P = .79), either alone or when adjusted for stage or family history. The survival rate of OC users of more than 2 years was similar to the survival rate of those of shorter duration (P = .36). Patients who began the use of OC 10 years or more before diagnosis showed no statistical difference from those beginning more recently (P = .69). Recent OC users within a year of diagnosis had a survival rate similar to that of other users who stopped the pills at least 1 year prior to diagnosis (P = .14). Our data suggest no adverse effects of OC use on the prognosis of breast cancer, regardless of duration of use, latency or recency period.
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral