The Pill May Increase Cervical Cancer Risk, Study Says

Researchers: Risk Decreases Once Pill is Discontinued

In an international study published in November 2007 in The Lancet, researchers report that women who have taken oral contraceptives for five or more years suffer almost twice the risk of developing cervical cancer than women who do not take "the pill." However, the risk is considered to be slight and disappears 10 years after women discontinue taking the pill. The risk drops to the same level as a woman who has never taken oral contraceptives.

Risk vs. Benefit

Although the study shows that oral contraceptives are a risk factor for developing cervical cancer, experts agree that for most women, the benefits of taking oral contraceptives far exceed the risks. Along with the obvious benefit of preventing unwanted pregnancy, oral contraceptives reduce the risk of both ovarian and endometrial cancer.

What This Study Means to You

The authors of the study urge that the results should not encourage women to stop taking the pill, but to emphasize regular cervical cancer screening.

The Pap smear is a highly effective screening tool for cervical cancer. It can detect cervical changes long before they become cancerous. The Pap test is used to screen for the disease, so regular screenings are vital. (See "How Often Should I Have a Pap Smear?")

_{Source: The Lancet 270 10 Nov 2007 1609-1621.}