IUD May Lower Cervical Cancer Risk


HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, Nov. 7, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- IUD contraceptive devices may reduce a woman's risk of cervical cancer by about a third, a new review concludes.

Researchers think IUDs might promote an immune response that kills off human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes virtually all cases of cervical cancer.

"The data say the presence of the IUD in the uterus stimulates an immune response, and that immune response very, very substantially destroys sperm and keeps sperm from reaching the egg," explained lead researcher Victoria Cortessis. "It stands to reason the IUD might influence other immune phenomenon."


"The vaccines don't work unless the woman is vaccinated before she's ever exposed to the virus," Cortessis said. "That's why we want 11- and 12-year-olds to be vaccinated, so they have time to be fully vaccinated and have a robust immune response before" first exposure.


"Women in their 20s and 30s and 40s who haven't been vaccinated are not going to be protected," Cortessis said. "That means for decades to come this epidemic of cervical cancer is with us."


"It raises the need for further research to be done to see if that is in fact the case," said Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society.

The intrauterine device (IUD) is a small T-shaped object placed inside the uterus to prevent pregnancy. It comes in two types -- one is made of copper, while the other is plastic and emits a small amount of the female hormone progestin.




The analysis is "fascinating," and the potential explanation for why an IUD might reduce cervical cancer risk "really does make sense," said women's health specialist Dr. Jill Rabin.

"This is just one more reason potentially to help us recommend a great contraceptive method to women," said Rabin, co-chief of the division of ambulatory care with Women's Health Programs-PCAP Services at Northwell Health in New Hyde Park, N.Y.


Back then, IUDs were not recommended for use in women with two major risk factors for cervical cancer -- multiple sexual partners and a history of sexually transmitted infections, Lichtenfeld explained.

"That becomes a significant factor to consider in evaluating results of this type of study," Lichtenfeld said. "We need more contemporary data and more contemporary study to really answer the question, given those considerations."


Finally, Lichtenfeld said he's concerned that people might use these results as an excuse to forgo regular Pap testing or not get their children vaccinated against HPV.

"That's the risk of folks becoming complacent when they see this type of study," Lichtenfeld said.

The report was published online Nov. 7 in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology.

More information

Visit the U.S. National Cancer Institute for more on cervical cancer.

SOURCES: Victoria Cortessis, Ph.D., associate professor, clinical preventive medicine, University of Southern California's Keck School of Medicine; Jill Rabin, M.D., co-chief, division of ambulatory care, Women's Health Programs-PCAP Services, Northwell Health, New Hyde Park, N.Y.; Len Lichtenfeld, M.D., deputy chief medical officer, American Cancer Society; Nov. 7, 2017, Obstetrics & Gynecology, online

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