Women with certain types of human papilloma
virus (HPV) infection run the risk of developing CIN --
cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, a type of pre-cancer.
However, contrary to previous concerns, their risk is
not affected if they use hormonal contraceptives, or by
their history of pregnancy and childbearing, researchers
have found.
Previous studies have suggested an increased risk of
CIN with long-term oral contraceptive use and having more
than one child, the investigators explain in the International
Journal of Cancer, but such studies did not account for
the possible confounding effect of cancer-related HPV
infection.
Dr. Philip E. Castle from National
Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Maryland and colleagues
investigated the development of CIN in young women who
tested positive for these types of HPV and had minimally
abnormal Pap smears.
Among these women, the likelihood of finding CIN was
no higher for current or former oral contraceptive users
than for those who had never used the Pill, the team reports.
There was a marginal association with CIN and the current
use of injectable or former Norplant use.
The number of pregnancies and children a woman had were
not associated with being infected with the cancer-related
strains of HPV, or with CIN in those who did have these
infections, the researchers note.
SOURCE: International Journal of Cancer, December 20,
2005.
