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Contraceptive pill prevents ovarian cancer

This news item was added on 28th January 2008

Researchers have found that women who take the contraceptive pill are less likely to develop ovarian cancer, and the protective effect lasts for many years.

A report by Cancer Research UK scientists, published in the Lancet medical journal, reveals that women who take the pill for 15 years halve their risk of ovarian cancer, the fourth most common cancer in women.

The benefits last for more than 30 years after women stop taking the pill and Sir Richard Peto, professor of epidemiology at Oxford University and one of the study's authors, said that the eventual reduction in ovarian cancer "is bigger than any increase in other types of cancer caused by the pill".

Experts estimate that some 200,000 cases of ovarian cancer have already been prevented by the contraceptive pill around the world.

The fpa (formerly the Family Planning Association) has welcomed the findings, describing them as "great news".

Chief executive Julie Bentley said: "Research has shown time and again that the pill is not only an extremely safe and effective method of contraception but has health benefits other than protecting against unplanned pregnancy.

"There is now substantial evidence showing that for most women the benefits of taking the contraceptive pill are far greater than any of the risks," she concluded.