Also, women who developed breast cancer and took HRT were more likely to die from their cancer or from any cause after diagnosis than women those who did not take the medication.

The study noted that 21 out of 23 retrospective studies have shown an increased risk of breast cancer in women who took oral contraceptives prior to pregnancy.

When we excluded women who were pregnant or receiving oral contraceptive or hormone replacement therapy – all possible causes of blood clots – the risk for women was reduced by 55 percent.