Oral contraceptive use and breast cancer risk: A systematic review

Introduction: Breast cancer is an oncological disease associated with the transformation of mammary cells influenced by hormones. It was necessary to review the relationship between the use of oral contraceptives and the risk of developing the disease. Objectives: To analyze the relationship between oral contraceptives and the risk of breast cancer and to identify the hormonal components involved. Methodology: Articles from 2010 to August 2024 were reviewed in Scielo and Google Scholar, including systematic and original studies in Spanish, English, and Portuguese, excluding irrelevant articles. Results and Discussion: Some studies suggested a relationship between oral contraceptives and breast cancer, especially with triphasic formulations, levonorgestrel, and in women with BRCA-1 and BRCA-2 mutations. Conclusions: The use of oral contraceptives increases the risk of breast cancer, but this risk decreases if they are discontinued at least 5 years after initiation.