Ocp/hrt ~ breast cancer

 Zaim: Salam, Dr.. How long is the usage of ocp/hrt that is significant to be considered as risk for breast cancer ?


 Dr Shaiful Ehsan: Wsalam zaimah....
Regarding OCP....it is not directly will cause breast cancer...findings from previous studies have shown that even in patient taking ocp for 10 years the risk of breast ca is still same as in those patient not taking ocp....so it is still grey area....
However, if u talking about those patient who already had potential of breast ca, eg strong family history with undiagnosed mass....the ocp may expedite the presentation and clinical manifestation of breast ca....

My conclusion:
Ocp is still safe and not proven yet to increase risk of breast ca. Therefore breast examination is not indicated even before u wanna start ocp...however, as general rule, each woman is advised for self breast examination as early as possible plus mammogram starting age 40....

Dr Shaiful Ehsan: Regarding hrt, estrogen replacement therapy alone GENERALLY not going to increase risk of breast Ca...though some studies may have mix findings especially those taking more than 10 years...but USUALLY  we are not going to give hrt more than 5 years...

But combine estrogen and progesteron therapy....there is a risk of increase breast ca if taken more than 5 years......

Tq.