Depo-Provera Shot Side Effects May Increase Breast Cancer Risk: Study
The Depo-Provera birth control shot may increase the risk of breast cancer, according to the findings of new research.
In a study published in the medical journal Cancer Research, researchers found that young women who were on Depo-Provera for a year or more were twice as likely as their contemporaries to be diagnosed with breast cancer.
Depo-Provera (depo-medroxyprogesterone acetate), also known as DMPA or the Depo shot, is an injectable form of birth control developed by Pfizer and approved by the FDA in 1992. The shot is given four times a year and prevents ovulation.
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Learn MoreResearchers looked at the records of more than 1,000 women from Seattle between the ages of 20 and 44 who had been diagnosed with breast cancer and compared them to more than 900 women who had not been diagnosed with breast cancer. They found that women who used the Depo shot for a year or more were 2.2 times as likely to be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.
According to the findings, the risk decreased the longer a woman was off the shot. That finding increase the likelihood of a causal link between the depo shot and breast cancer.
Researchers noted that even with the increased risk, the chances of a breast cancer diagnosis in young women is low, and that the risk dissipated after use of the shot was discontinued. They said their findings emphasize the importance of identifying the potential risks associated with specific forms of contraceptives and the need to weigh forms of contraceptives and their risks against the alternatives.
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ChastityMay 15, 2023 at 4:44 pm
I want to know if anyone could suggest the names of any attorney taking cases on the Depo-Provera birth control shot causes Breast Cancer to be specific I have taken the depo-provera shot for over ten years and was recently diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Adenocarcinoma and have done alot of reading and found out Pfizer put this medicine out to be sold knowing it caused two types of breast cancer [Show More]I want to know if anyone could suggest the names of any attorney taking cases on the Depo-Provera birth control shot causes Breast Cancer to be specific I have taken the depo-provera shot for over ten years and was recently diagnosed with Invasive Ductal Adenocarcinoma and have done alot of reading and found out Pfizer put this medicine out to be sold knowing it caused two types of breast cancer invasive ductal and invasive lobular adenocarcinoma and failed to warn the public of this. I just need an attorney that is taking cases or claims like this. Any information shared would be greatly appreciated.
StacySeptember 8, 2020 at 2:18 pm
I was on Depo (and completely healthy) and after years of no menstrual cycle, was later revealed to have an ovarian tumor and removal of right ovary. I am still dealing with medical problems from this issue.
ErinJuly 6, 2012 at 4:41 am
Does anyone know how long the other side effects last for this shot? I have been off it for 18 months and still having problems. I lost part of my vision, have been through 5 doctors and been diagnosed with ruptured cysts, PID multiple yes as well as severe infections, and told that I need a specialist for possible surgery due to this shot. Can someone please help me with information?