Oral contraception and genital-tract malignancy [letter]

This letter comments on a study on oral contraceptive use (OCs) and malignancies of the genital tract done by Dr. Beral et al. The authors of the letter feel the study may be misleading due to a history taken on a oversimplified "ever use" versus "never use" basis. In their own study of 100 patients referred for colposcopy because of an abnormal cervical smear OCs were used by 49% at the time of presentation 71% when they 1st became sexually active and by 94% at some stage. In addition they discuss the use of barrier methods to alter the natural history of cervical neoplasia. In 1 study patients with biopsy-proven cervical intraepithelial neoplasia were treated only with condoms. 98% of those followed up for 6 months or more showed complete colposcopic and cytological regression of the neoplasia. However they still feel that the relationship between methods of contraception and cervical neoplasia warrants further clarification before clinical recommendations can be made to patients with or without an abnormal cervical smear.