Objectives:

To assess whether the use of injectable progestogen contraceptives (IPCs) and of oral contraceptives influences the risk of cervical cancer (stage Ib or greater).

Methods:

524 cases of primary invasive cervical cancer (stage Ib or greater) were enrolled from two tertiary care hospitals in Cape Town from among African women and women of mixed racial descent. 1,540 hospital controls were frequency matched to the cases in a ratio of up to 3:1 on age, ethnic group, and area of residence. Controls referred from outlying areas were enrolled from outlying hospitals. Information was collected from the patients by trained nurses on demographic factors, reproductive and contraceptive history, and risk factors for cervical cancer. Blood samples were obtained from all subjects and Pap smears from controls.

Results:

Use of IPCs was not associated with the risk of invasive cervical cancer. An unexpected finding was an inverse association between Pap smear and HPV infection.

Investigators:

Samuel Shapiro M.B., Principal Investigator

Lynn Rosenberg, Sc.D., Co-Investigator
Slone Epidemiology Center

Margaret Hoffman, M.B., Principal Investigator
University of Cape Town

Source of funding:

National Cancer Institute

Study Period:

1998 - 2002

Publications:

Link to Publications