earticle

영어

Breast cancer is increasing at a remarkable rate in Korea. We investigated the association between oral contraceptive use and breast cancer in Korean women. Using the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, 8,495 women aged over 30 years are analyzed. Furthermore, the data used in this study is obtained using a complex sampling method in order that it is generalized. The previous studies in Korea, were not statistically significant due to the relatively short duration during which oral contraceptives had been available. However, the longer duration of oral contraceptive use exhibits tendency to increase the risk of breast cancer. Women using oral contraceptives, particularly for more than two years have an increased occurrence of breast cancer compared with women who do not use oral contraceptives. This result reflects the late introduction of oral contraceptives in Korea compared with developed countries. The recent increase in interest about the use of oral contraceptives has been increasing for a variety of reasons. Therefore, it is necessary for continuous and specific clinical studies to examine the connections between the first use of oral contraceptives, oral contraceptives use duration, adverse effects of oral contraceptives and breast cancer in order to develop strategies for preventing breast cancer.