Oral contraceptive use and the risk of gynecologic cancers

Abstract

Combined Oral contraceptives (COCs) are among the most widely used, effective and reversible means of family planning. Their beneficial effects are well documented, but many questions are still raised concerning a possible association between the long term use of COCs and the development of gynecologic cancer. Much study focused on the influence of COCs use which could have on the incidence of cervical cancer; most confirmed the relation between COCs use and the development of cervical cancer, especially in women using COCs for longer period. Reliable scientific data convincingly prove that the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancers are lower among women who used COCs than in women who never took them. The degree of protection given by COCs is directly proportional to the duration of use. All women need to be informed about these effects to maximize the contraceptive benefits.

Key words : Combined oral contraceptives, gynecologic cancers