INFORMATION FOR WOMEN USING
THE ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE PILL

THE RISK OF CERVICAL CANCER FOR WOMEN WHO USE THE ORAL CONTRACEPTIVE PILL FOR A LONG TIME

You may have heard recently about new research suggesting that women who use oral contraceptives (commonly called the pill) for more than 5 years are more likely to develop cervical cancer than women who have never used it. This leaflet provides you with some information and explains what this means for you. The main message is that having regular smear tests is very important.

Benefits of the pill

The pill is highly effective at preventing pregnancy and generally has an excellent safety record. Whilst the pill has been associated with a small increase in the risk of thrombo-embolic disease, it also reduces the risk of ovarian and endometrial (lining of the womb) cancer.

Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is caused by Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), which is a sexually transmitted infection. There are more than 80 types of HPV virus, but only a few of them are associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer. Cancer only develops when infection with one of the high risk types lasts for many years. Many women are infected with HPV at some point in their lives, but in most women the HPV infection disappears naturally without causing any problems. Even those women who contract high risk HPVs rarely go on to develop cancer. Other factors may add to the risk of developing cervical cancer. There has been some evidence to suggest that taking the pill might be one of these other risk factors. However it has not been clear how much risk it might add or whether the pill itself or sexual activity is the cause.

Latest evidence

A new study, mainly in developing countries, on the long-term use of the pill and risk of cervical cancer has just been published in The Lancet. The findings of this study suggest that women in those countries who use the pill for more than 5 years and have HPV have a risk of developing cervical cancer three to four times higher than those who have never used it. However, your overall likelihood of getting cervical cancer in the UK remains low whether you use the pill for a long time or not.

Screening for cervical cancer

The rate of cervical cancer is very low in the UK due to a highly effective screening programme. This detects and treats cervical abnormalities before they develop into cancer and prevents between 80 and 90% of cancer cases in women who attend for a smear at least once every 5 years. The results of this new study emphasise the importance of having regular smear tests and attending for your smear test when you are invited. The NHS Cervical Screening Programme invites women aged 20 to 64 for screening every 3 to 5 years. Women under 20 are not invited as their bodies are still developing and screening is not beneficial at that age. Women aged over 64 are entitled to cervical screening if they have never been screened or if their last two tests were not clear.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION

• The various forms of pill are very safe and highly effective at preventing pregnancy. Their benefits outweigh their risks for the vast majority of women who take them and you should not immediately stop taking your pill because of this recent research.
• If you are concerned and feel that you would like to stop using the pill in the longer term you should discuss alternative forms of contraception with your doctor. In the meantime continue to take your pill as you could become pregnant at any time after stopping.
• Even if you have been using the pill for more than 5 years, your risk of developing cervical cancer remains low.
• Your chances of developing cervical cancer are significantly reduced by having a smear at least every 5 years, whether you use oral contraceptives or not.
• If you have not had a smear in the last 5 years and are, or have ever been, sexually active, you should make an appointment with your GP, family planning clinic or GUM (genito-urinary medicine) clinic as soon as possible.

Further information is available on the MCA's website at www.mca.gov.uk

You may contact NHS Direct if you have further questions on 0845 4647