Are you on birth control? If you use the intrauterine device, also known as an IUD, you may have a lower risk of developing cervical cancer, according to a new report.
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Researchers from the University of Southern California recently conducted an experiment, published in the Obstetrics & Gynecology journal, to determine the link between IUDs and the disease.
To do so, they took a look at 16 previous studies that examined more than 12,000 women from around the world. Each study included information about the participants’ IUD use, history of cervical cancer and other health risk factors, including prevalence of HPV and the age of a woman’s fist vaginal intercourse.
After analyzing the results, they found that the rate of cervical cancer was one-third lower in women who used IUDs, compared to those who did not.
"The pattern we found was stunning. It was not subtle at all," lead author Victoria Cortessis said in a statement. "The possibility that a woman could experience some help with cancer control at the same time she is making contraception decisions could potentially be very, very impactful."
Scientists, however, did note that their analysis did not include any clinical work. Therefore, IUDs have not been proven to prevent cervical cancer.
But they do have a few theories about IUDs’ protective benefits.
Some believe the placement of the IUD causes an immune response in the cervix that helps the body ward off an HPV infection that could one day lead to cervical cancer. Also, when an IUD is removed, they think it may contain harmful cells that contain the HPV infection.
They plan to continue their research to understand how IUDs can be used as protection against the illness.
“The results of our study are very exciting,” coauthor Laila Muderspach added. “There is tremendous potential.”
