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Gynaecological cancer and the contraceptive pill

School of Medicine, University of Auckland, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, 2nd Floor, National Women's Hospital, Claude Road, Epsom, Auckland, New Zealand. email: h.roberts{at}auckland.ac.nz

Research continues to expand our knowledge regarding the relationship between oral contraceptive pill use and gynaecological malignancy. The combined contraceptive pill increases cervical cancer in those women who are human papillomavirus positive. Current and recent use of the pill increases breast cancer incidence but this increase tends to disappear five to ten years after the pill is stopped. Some studies have suggested that this increased incidence is only among women who have used the pill at a young age, when absolute numbers are small and where risk has disappeared as these women reach menopause. The protective effect of the pill for endometrial and ovarian cancer continues up to 20 years after stopping use. Although further data are required, low-dose pills may have a smaller impact on breast cancer risk while continuing to protect for endometrial and ovarian cancer.

Keywords Keywords / breast cancer / cervical cancer / endometrial cancer / human papillomavirus / ovarian cancer / contraceptive pill