Oral contraceptives and breast neoplasia.

The continued high prevalence of oral contraceptive (OC) use by young women warrants the careful study of these agents. At present, it appears that the risk of benign breast disease is reduced by use of OCs. This effect seems to be greater for fibrocystic disease than for fibroadenoma. Available information suggests that, as yet, OC use has not had any effect on breast cancer risk. The recent slight rise in breast cancer rates in younger women has not been shown to be due to OC use. The relationship between OCs and breast cancer may not become clear for another 5 to 10 years because of the long latent period of this disease. Meanwhile, for reasons presented, it would seem wise not to prescribe OCs for women with a history of benign breast disease and to withdraw them from women who develop these conditions.