A recent op ed in the Chicago Tribune questions why a 2006 study linking Breast Cancer to Oral Contraceptives has largely been ignored:
Not wanting to become known as the town quack, I am reluctant to write another politically incorrect column about breast cancer.Four weeks ago, when I reported a study that found a statistical link between abortion and breast cancer, the hate e-mail poured in, denouncing me for being an ignorant, stupid, anti-science, anti-choice and anti-woman lunatic. But it also brought a message alerting me to yet another study, suggesting that premenopausal women (younger than 50) who used oral contraceptives prior to having their first child faced a higher risk of breast cancer. Yes, I know, this debate has been going on for years, if not decades, and judging by the last studies given wide exposure a few years ago by the media, the issue seems settled: Oral contraception does not significantly increase the risk of breast cancer.
I covered the pill / breast cancer issue last year, but due to time constraints as well as work on another project - which will be made public in the next few weeks - I was not able to update the article with the details of a more recent recent study. So for what it's worth, here is the article from 2006:
We know theres a link. Doesn't stop millions of women from using the pill to help prevent the need for an abortion. I'll risk it.