Risk of breast cancer associated with short-term use of oral contraceptives.
OBJECTIVE
To estimate breast cancer risk associated with short-term (<6 months) oral contraceptive use, and explore variation in estimates by use characteristics and medical, menstrual, and reproductive history.


METHODS
We analyzed data from the Women's Contraceptive and Reproductive Experiences Study. Case subjects were white women and black women, 35-64 years old, diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in July 1994-April 1998. Control subjects identified by random-digit dialing were matched to case subjects by age, race, and study site. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).


RESULTS
Overall, short-term oral contraceptive use was not associated with breast cancer risk (OR = 1.0; 95% CI = 0.8-1.1). However, significant interaction between short-term use and menopausal status led to an observed increased breast cancer risk in pre-menopausal women (OR = 1.3; 95% CI = 1.0-1.7) and a reduced risk in post-menopausal women (OR = 0.8; 95% CI = 0.6-1.0) associated with short-term use. The association was more pronounced in women with non-contraceptive reasons for use and underlying risk factors for breast cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
These associations may result from underlying characteristics of users or unmeasured factors influencing duration of use and breast cancer risk.
Folger
Suzanne G
SG
Division of Reproductive Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA. sxgl@cdc.gov
Marchbanks
Polly A
PA
McDonald
Jill A
JA
Bernstein
Leslie
L
Ursin
Giske
G
Berlin
Jesse A
JA
Daling
Janet R
JR
Norman
Sandra A
SA
Strom
Brian L
BL
Weiss
Linda K
LK
Simon
Michael S
MS
Burkman
Ronald T
RT
Malone
Kathleen E
KE
Spirtas
Robert
R
D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003276:Contraceptives, Oral / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012306:Risk; D018426:SEER Program; D013997:Time Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D003276:Contraceptives, Oral