Relationship of oral contraceptives to cervical carcinogenesis.

Abstract

A retrospective epidemiologic study was done in Washington County Maryland to determine whether the development of carcinoma in situ or squamous dysplasia is linked to the use of oral contraceptives. 324 women with cytologic smears suggestive of neoplasia (104 with in situ carcinoma 105 with squamous dysplasia and 25 with chronic inflammation without mention of carcinoma or dysplasia) were interviewed. 302 women served as controls. There was an almost equal proportion of cases and controls who had never used oral contraceptives. There was no significant difference between groups in the number of months of oral contraceptive usage or in amount of estrogen and progestogen taken. It is concluded that women who use oral contraceptives for an average of 20 months are not more likely to develop squamous dysplasia or carcinoma in situ in 2 1/2-3 years after initial use than are women who do not use oral contraceptives. Long range carcinogenic effect of oral contraceptives is still undetermined.