Drug Injury Lawyers Blog
According to findings from a recent study published in the Cancer Research journal, it looks as if there is a connection between Depo-Provera and a greater risk of invasive breast cancer in young women. The U.S. National Cancer Institute and the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program funded the study, which was conducted by researchers from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center.
Researchers found that a 2.2 fold-greater chance of developing breast cancer seemed to arise when the injectable, progestin-only birth control was used by some woman for at least a year. This higher risk appeared to go down within months after cessation of use. Taking Depo-Provera for under a year doesn’t appear to up the risk of breast cancer.
The study looked at over 1,000 women in the Seattle area, ages 20-24, that had been diagnosed with breast cancer and more than 900 women without breast cancer. Researchers were clear in pointing out, however, that although a connection between Depo-Provera and a higher breast cancer risk was found, a cause-and-effect link between the two has not been verified.
Depo-Provera
Depo-Provera, which is also prescribed to treat endometriosis, has been linked to other serious side effects, including delayed fertility and bone loss. A class action injury lawsuit seeking over $600M against drug maker Pfizer Inc. was even filed by women in Canada who blame the contraception for their osteoporosis. They contend that the pharmaceutical giant did not warn consumers of certain health risks.
Other serious side effects that have been linked to Depo-Provera include severe allergic reactions to the drug, a greater risk of premature births, and possibly even higher neonatal and infant mortality death rates. If you think that your cancer, bone loss, osteoporosis, joint or hip fracture, or another health issue is connected to your use of Depo-Provera, you should contact our drug injury law firm right away. If you believe that your child was adversely affected by your use of this particular birth control, then ask to speak with one of our child injury lawyers that handles dangerous drug lawsuits.
Depo-Provera Birth Control Might Raise Breast Cancer Risk, Yahoo News, April 4, 2012
Cancer Research
Depo-Provera, Public Health
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