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Assessing the Role of Reversible Contraceptives in the Health Care of Women as it Pertains to Cancer Prevention

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Abstract

The use of effective and reversible contraception is characterized by many non-contraceptive benefits distinct from its ability to prevent pregnancy. Notably, the use of hormonal and non-hormonal birth control methods is known to impact the risk for developing certain female genital cancers as well as breast and colon cancers. We present here the current understanding of the role of effective and reversible contraceptives in the prevention and development of female genital cancers along with breast and colon cancers. Despite ongoing but unsubstantiated concerns regarding the use of hormonal and intrauterine contraceptives for a variety of clinical outcomes including cancer, contraceptive use in high- and low-risk reproductive-aged women remains an important part of cancer risk reduction for many malignancies.

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Acknowledgements

No funding or sponsorship was received for this study or publication of this article.

All named authors meet the International Committee of Medical Journal Editors (ICMJE) criteria for authorship for this manuscript, take responsibility for the integrity of the work as a whole, and have given final approval for the version to be published.

Disclosures

Carolyn M. Ross has nothing to disclose. Lee P. Shulman serves as a consultant for Bayer, Merck, AMAG, Allergan, Myriad Labs, and Counsyl Labs.

Compliance with Ethics Guidelines

This article is based on previously conducted studies and does not involve any new studies of human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Family Planning in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA

    Carolyn M. Ross

  2. The Division of Clinical Genetics, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA

    Lee P. Shulman

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  1. Carolyn M. Ross
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Correspondence to Lee P. Shulman.

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Ross, C.M., Shulman, L.P. Assessing the Role of Reversible Contraceptives in the Health Care of Women as it Pertains to Cancer Prevention. Adv Ther 34, 2412–2421 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-017-0623-7

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