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Pill cancer risk gone in 10yrs

09/11/2007

Users of the combined oral contraceptive pill have an increased risk of cervical cancer but this risk disappears ten years after the pill-use is stopped, researchers claim.

Previous studies have shown that women taking this type of contraception have a higher risk of cervical cancer.

The latest study, published today in the Lancet journal, confirms this finding but shows for the first time that the increased risk falls as soon as pill use stops.

Researchers from Oxford University said the increase in risk is removed ten years later.

They analysed 24 separate studies of more than 52,000 women from 26 countries worldwide.

Lead researcher Dr Jane Green said: "This study confirms that women who are taking the pill have a small increased risk of cervical cancer. But this increased risk begins to drop soon after women stop taking the pill and after ten years risk has returned to normal levels.

"The pill remains one of the most effective forms of contraception, and in the long term the small increases in risk for cervical and breast cancers are outweighed by reduced risks for ovarian and womb cancer."

Women currently using the pill and who have been taking it for five years have nearly twice the risk of cervical cancer compared with women who have never used it.

There is only a small overall effect on the lifetime risk of developing cervical cancer from use of the pill in young women. Women up to the age of 50 in developed countries who have never used the pill face a risk of 3.8 in 1,000.

This increases to 4.5 in 1,000 for those taking the pill for ten years.

Commenting on the findings, Cancer Research UK's director of information Dr Lesley Walker said: "This study helps us to quantify the increased risk and to understand how long the risk persists.

"Cervical cancer can be largely prevented by going for regular smear tests so it's vital that all women go for screening when they are invited.

"It is important for women to weigh up the risks and benefits of taking the pill for themselves and to speak to their doctor if they are concerned. In future we hope that many more cases of cervical cancer will be prevented as a result of the recently-announced HPV vaccination programme."