Summary: Injectable contraceptive has been found to drastically increase the risk of invasive breast cancer.

Recent use of the injectable contraceptive DMPA for a year or longer has been found to be associated with a 95% increased risk of being diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.

• According to an article featured in American Association for Cancer Research, a recent population-based study was conducted in order to examine the relationship between the risk of breast cancer and an injectable contraceptive called depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate (or DMPA). This specific injectable contraceptive is widely used by women throughout the world and it contains the same progestin as the menopausal hormone therapy regimen that has been found to increase the risk of breast cancer among postmenopausal women. Since there is very little data on the relationship between DMPA use and breast cancer risk, researchers wanted to take a closer look at this possible link. For this particular study, a reported 1,028 women ages 20-44 were assessed. The women in this study had been diagnosed with a primary invasive breast cancer between June 2004 and June 2010, with no prior history of invasive breast cancer. Detailed information on DMPA use and other relevant factors was obtained through interviews and in-person questionnaires in order to evaluate any links between various aspects of DMPA use and breast cancer risk. As a result of this research, examiners of this study found that recent use of DMPA for a year or longer was associated with a 95% increased risk of being diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Although breast cancer tends to be rare among young women, and the elevated risk of breast cancer associated with DMPA appears to dissipate after discontinuation, results of this study show the importance of identifying the potential risks associated with specific forms of contraceptives, and looking for available alternatives that are not as risky to women’s health.¹

¹Effect of Depo-Medroxyprogesterone Acetate on Breast Cancer Risk Among Women 20-44 Years of Age, American Association for Cancer Research, 2012, pp.1-23.