Relation Between Oral Contraceptive Use and Cervical Cancer

Use of oral contraceptives for 5 or more years doubles the risk for invasive cervical cancer, but the risk decreases progressively after stopping use, according to a Lancet study.


Researchers examined data on oral contraceptive use from 24 studies comprising some 11,200 women with invasive cervical cancer and 35,500 controls. The risk for cancer increased with duration of use, was highest in current users, and declined with time since last use. Among those who'd stopped using oral contraceptives for 10 years or more, the risk was similar to that of never users.


To give a sense of the additional risk, the authors estimate that 10 years' use starting at age 20 would raise the cumulative cancer incidence at age 50 from 3.8 to 4.5 per 1000 women.


An editorialist points out a potential confounding factor: "Women using oral contraceptives are more likely to be exposed to HPV than are those using barrier methods or not having sexual intercourse."

Lancet article (Free abstract; full text requires subscription)