The Mayo Clinic Proceedings in 2006 published a meta-analysis of 23 studies done in several countries about breast cancer risk and usage of oral contraceptives. Dr Chris Kahlenborn, one of the principal authors, stated that "if a woman takes combined oral contraceptive pills before her first full term pregnancy, she risks a 44 percent increased chance of developing pre-menopause breast cancer when compared to women who have never taken an OCP". Kahlenborn also found that "if a woman takes OCPs for 4 years or more prior to her first full term pregnancy, she suffers a 52 percent increased risk".
Yes, the pill has problems.
But if you ask the average woman: Which do you prefer, a 12 percent risk of breast cancer and two kids, or a 9 percent chance of breast cancer and ten kids? I wonder what she’d answer.
Especially if she knew that 90 percent of breast cancer can be cured...