Hormonal contraception and cancer
Drife, J.; Guillebaud, J.
British Journal of Hospital Medicine 35(1): 25-29
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0007-1064 PMID: 3955285 Document Number: 286052
This article examines the realtionship between the menstrual cycle and cancer and between oral contraceptive (OC) use and cancer. It is noted that the natural menstrual cycle can influence the development of some cancers: ovarian, endometrial, and breast cancer. Thus, suppression of the menstrual cycle theoretically could protect against these diseases. Conversely, hormonal contraceptive replace the natural cycle with relatively steady levels of artificial hormones, and the possibility that these hormones could cause malignancies must be examined critically. The prevention of ovulation with combined OCs appears to offer some protection against ovarian and endometrial cancer, but their effect on both breast cancer and cervical cancer remains uncertain. Since few women have taken progestogen-only OCs for extended periods, little is known about their longterm effects. Further epidemiologic studies of combined OCs, especially regarding breast cancer risks, are in progress. However, because of the latent period between OC exposure and clinical disease, current studies will reveal the effects of higher-dose formulations used 10-20 years ago. In response to questions from patients about whether OCs cause cancer, physicians can point out that: 1) the effects of combined OCs are not yet clear, 2) 2 cancers are definitely les frequent among OC users combined and 3) there is as yet no cause to believe that the overall risk of cancer is greater in OC users than in nonusers.