Study Investigates Oral Contraceptives and Cancer Risk

Overview of Oral Contraceptives

Oral contraceptives are widely used, and extensive research has been conducted on their associated risks and benefits. A recent study aimed to explore the relationship between oral contraceptive use and specific cancer risks, considering the influence of lifestyle factors.

Research Details

Conducted in the United States and published in JAMA Oncology, the study examined whether lifestyle factors such as smoking, obesity, and exercise affected the correlation between the duration of oral contraceptive use and the risk of certain cancers. This population-based cohort study involved over 100,000 women and revealed a decreased risk of ovarian cancer with increased oral contraceptive use, a trend consistent across various health behaviors.

Findings on Endometrial Cancer

For endometrial cancer, the study found the most significant risk reduction among current smokers, obese women, and those who engaged in little physical activity. Conversely, there was no notable association between oral contraceptive use and the risks of breast and colorectal cancers, which remained consistent across different health behaviors.

Limitations of the Study

One key limitation of this study is the lack of adjustments for certain mediators that could elucidate the causal pathways linking oral contraceptive use to cancer risk. This omission hindered the application of mediation methods that could control for confounding factors such as parity. Nevertheless, the study’s conclusions align with other research that has accounted for such factors.

Conclusions and Recommendations

The findings suggest that the beneficial effects of oral contraceptive use on ovarian and endometrial cancer risk persist across various lifestyle factors, including smoking and obesity. However, it is important to note that the researchers did not gather information on the specific formulations of the oral contraceptives used, as the participants likely utilized first and second-generation contraceptive drugs from before 1989, which contained higher hormone levels than many modern alternatives.

Future Research Directions

Despite the encouraging results, the researchers emphasize the necessity for future studies to explore the associations between newer oral contraceptive formulations and cancer risks across different health behaviors. This study contributes valuable insights to the existing literature on oral contraceptive use and cancer risk, aiding clinicians in providing informed advice to patients regarding the risks and benefits of oral contraception.

Author Information

Written by Jade Marie Evans, MPharm, Medical Writer.

Reference

Michels K.A et al. (2018). Modification of the Associations Between Duration of Oral Contraceptive Use and Ovarian, Endometrial, Breast, and Colorectal Cancers. Available: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/article-abstract/2669779?resultClick=1&redirect=true. Last accessed 1st February 2018.

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