Contraceptives are widely used among women for family planning. The use of contraceptives has been associated with the reduction of the risk of pregnancy-related complications, including gynecological cancers.

Gynecological cancer is the cancer of the female reproductive system, which includes the cervix, uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, vagina, and vulva. The use of contraceptives has a varying impact on gynecological cancer, depending on the type of contraceptive and the duration of use.

Impact of contraceptives on cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is the most common gynecological cancer worldwide. The incidence of cervical cancer is higher in developing countries, where screening and treatment programs are limited.

The use of oral contraceptives has been found to have a protective effect against cervical cancer. A study published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that women who had ever used oral contraceptives had a 27% lower risk of developing cervical cancer compared to women who never used oral contraceptives.

The protective effect of oral contraceptives against cervical cancer increases with the duration of use.

The study found that women who used oral contraceptives for more than ten years had a 53% lower risk of cervical cancer compared to women who never used oral contraceptives. The protective effect of oral contraceptives against cervical cancer persists even after the cessation of use, and the risk gradually decreases over time.

The use of non-oral hormonal contraceptives, such as hormonal patches and rings, has also been associated with a reduced risk of cervical cancer.

A study published in Obstetrics and Gynecology found that the use of hormonal patches and rings for two or more years was associated with a 40% lower risk of cervical cancer compared to non-users.

Impact of contraceptives on uterine cancer

Uterine cancer, also known as endometrial cancer, is the fourth most common cancer among women in developed countries.

The risk of uterine cancer is increased by exposure to high levels of estrogen, such as in women with hormonal imbalances or those who have never been pregnant. The use of oral contraceptives, which contain synthetic forms of estrogen and progestin, has been found to reduce the risk of uterine cancer.

A study published in The Lancet Oncology found that the use of oral contraceptives for five years or more was associated with a 50% lower risk of uterine cancer compared to women who never used oral contraceptives.

The protective effect of oral contraceptives against uterine cancer persists for at least fifteen years after cessation of use.

Impact of contraceptives on ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the fifth most common cancer among women in developed countries. The incidence of ovarian cancer is lower in women who have used oral contraceptives, and the risk decreases with the duration of use.

A meta-analysis of 45 studies published in The Lancet found that the use of oral contraceptives was associated with a 27% lower risk of ovarian cancer compared to women who never used oral contraceptives.

The protective effect of oral contraceptives against ovarian cancer was found to increase with the duration of use, with a 20% lower risk among women who used oral contraceptives for less than five years, and a 50% lower risk among women who used oral contraceptives for more than ten years.

Impact of contraceptives on breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. The relationship between the use of contraceptives and the risk of breast cancer is complex and has been a subject of extensive research for decades.

The use of oral contraceptives has been found to increase the risk of breast cancer slightly, especially among women who started using oral contraceptives before the age of 20.

A meta-analysis of 54 studies published in The Lancet found that the use of oral contraceptives was associated with a slightly increased risk of breast cancer, with a relative risk of 1.24 compared to non-users.

However, the increased risk was found to be temporary and disappeared after discontinuation of oral contraceptives. The risk of breast cancer was also found to be higher among women who used oral contraceptives for more extended periods.

Conclusion

Contraceptives have a varying impact on gynecological cancer, depending on the type of contraceptive and the duration of use.

The use of oral contraceptives has a protective effect against cervical cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer, while it slightly increases the risk of breast cancer. The protective effect of oral contraceptives persists even after cessation of use, and the risk gradually decreases over time.

The use of non-oral hormonal contraceptives, such as hormonal patches and rings, has also been associated with a reduced risk of cervical cancer.