Q & A Library

A recent study from England showed that the longer a woman takes the Pill, the greater her risk of developing cervical cancer. The researchers reviewed 28 studies and found that compared to women who never took the Pill, those who were on it for less than five years had a 10 percent increased risk of cervical cancer; those who took it for five to nine years had a 60 percent increased risk and those who took it for 10 years or more had double the risk.

Even after accounting for such risk factors as the number of sexual partners the women had, their smoking history (cigarettes raise the risk) and infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV), believed to be the major cause of cervical cancer, the researchers found that the length of time on the Pill correlated with an increased risk of cervical cancer.

However, even double the risk isn't as scary as it sounds since cervical cancer isn't very common these days. In the UK only 3,200 cases occur annually. In the U.S., some 12,000 women develop cervical cancer every year, most of whom have not been screened, as recommended with regular Pap tests.

The study doesn't reveal what it is about the Pill that could be responsible for the increased risk or whether the risk returns to normal when a woman stops taking the Pill. We do know that long-term use of birth control pills protects against ovarian cancer, a far worse and much less treatable disease. Fortunately, Pap smears can detect early indications of cervical cancer making it possible to prevent progression to the disease itself. The FDA recently approved a new screening test for HPV, which women can now have at the same time as their Pap smears. Whether or not you're on the Pill, the best way to protect yourself against cervical cancer is to have regular Pap smears and any recommended follow-up treatment.

I wouldn't base a decision on whether or not to continue taking the Pill on the results of this study. That's a decision you should make after consultation with your physician, taking into consideration your lifestyle and personal and family health history. But do learn about non-pharmacological methods of birth-control. If you can find one that works for you, it might be safer than long-term use of the Pill.

Dr. Andrew Weil