This page aims to provide contraceptive advice and guidance for individuals who have, or have had a breast cancer diagnosis.
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in individuals of reproductive age in the UK. Whilst some cancer treatments can affect sexual function and fertility, many people remain sexually active and potentially fertile throughout their treatment and follow up. As it is generally recommended that pregnancy is avoided during this time, it is important individuals are supported to access acceptable and appropriate effective contraception.
The options for contraception are limited after breast cancer as hormonal contraceptive methods are generally not recommended. This is due to the hormone sensitivity of some breast cancers and the potential risk of recurrence and is regardless of hormone receptor status.
There is no robust data to inform us about the effect of hormonal contraception on the risk of cancer recurrence, or a further primary breast cancer. However, it is recommended that individuals who are using hormonal contraception at the time of breast cancer diagnosis should stop, or remove the method as soon as possible and a non-hormonal alternative should be used instead.
Who needs contraception?
Contraception is required for individuals who are sexually active and under the age of 55 years old.
There are some circumstances in which contraception is not required such as:
- You are aged 55 years or over (After this age, contraception is no longer required as the risk of pregnancy is very rare).
- You are aged 50 years or over and been naturally amenorrhoeic (no periods) for at least one year.
- You are aged over 50 years, had a blood test prior to your breast cancer treatment to confirm a serum FSH >30 IU/L prior to breast cancer treatment and this was taken over a year ago.
- You have had a hysterectomy or both ovaries removed or been sterilised.
- You are not sexually active, have only male partner(s) who have had a successful vasectomy or only have partners who were assigned female at birth.
Types of non-hormonal contraception
It is recommended that highly effective non-hormonal contraception is offered. The options for this include:
- The copper IUD (99% effective)
- Female or male sterilisation (99% effective)
- Barrier methods such as condoms, diaphragms and caps + spermicide, however, these are less effective thank the IUD and sterilisation methods.
- Contraception options be discussed at your appointment.