Depo-Provera and Norplant Do Not Increase Breast Cancer Risk

In the Women's Contraceptive and Reproductive Experiences (CARE) study -- a population-based, multicenter, case-control study supported by the National Institute of Child Health and Human . . .

In the Women's Contraceptive and Reproductive Experiences (CARE) study -- a population-based, multicenter, case-control study supported by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development and the CDC -- 4575 randomly sampled black and white women (age range, 35-64) with primary invasive breast cancer diagnosed between 1994 and 1998 were compared with 4682 age- and race-matched controls. The researchers ascertained previous use of the injectable contraceptive depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA; Depo-Provera) and the levonorgestrel-releasing contraceptive implant (Norplant; not currently marketed in the U.S.).

Overall, 127 participants (58 cases and 69 controls) had used DMPA, and 12 (5 cases and 7 controls) had used the impla…

Reviewing Author

Andrew M. Kaunitz, MD