The Pill and Ovarian Cancer
New Study Reveals Hidden Benefit of Oral Contraceptives
Good news for the more than 100 million women taking oral contraceptives-it may cut their risk of ovarian cancer in half.
A new study conducted at The University of Oxford suggests that women taking oral contraceptives may enjoy long-lasting protection against ovarian cancer. The researchers examined data from 45 different ovarian cancer studies in 21 countries, and assessed the ovarian cancer rates of approximately 110,000 women over more than 30 years. The researchers found that, of the portion of women who developed ovarian cancer, only 31% had used oral contraceptives. In contrast, of women who did not develop ovarian cancer, 37% used oral contraceptives. Thus, women who developed ovarian cancer had a smaller likelihood of ever having been on the Pill, while those on oral contraceptives had a smaller likelihood of developing ovarian cancer.
The scientists found that the protection against the development of ovarian cancer continued even after women stopped taking oral contraceptives, for as many as 30 years. The longer a woman took oral contraceptives, the lower her chances of developing ovarian cancer. In fact, researchers estimate that taking oral contraceptives for 15 years cuts a women’s ovarian cancer risk in half. Dr. Valerie Beral, the lead author of the study and director of the Cancer Research UK Epidemiology Unit at Oxford University, estimates that, “worldwide, the Pill has already prevented 200,000 women from developing cancer of the ovary and has prevented 100,000 deaths from the disease.”
It was previously known that oral contraceptives provide long-lasting protection against endometrial cancer. While the Pill has been associated with a small increase in the risk of breast and cervical cancers, this risk goes away when women stop taking oral contraceptives. Researcher and co-author Sir Richard Peto reveals that, “the eventual reduction in ovarian cancer is bigger than any increase in other types of cancer caused by the Pill.” These findings suggest that the protective effects against ovarian cancer may outweigh the risks associated with taking the Pill for many women. However, women still need to discuss whether the Pill is right for them with their doctor.
While it is the eighth frequent cancer in women, ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of women’s cancer deaths. Ovarian cancer is considered one of the most dangerous types of cancer because it is difficult to detect early. In many cases women experience few noticeable symptoms until the cancer is quite advanced and much harder to treat. In fact, only 20% of ovarian cancers are found before they have spread to other organs. Researchers are just beginning to understand the subtle signs that can point to ovarian cancer, such as: pressure in the abdomen, bloating, feelings of fullness, pelvic discomfort, urinary urgency, persistent indigestion, changes in bowel movements (such as constipation or diarrhea), lower back pain, and/or lack of energy.
