Androgenic progestins in oral contraceptives and the risk of epithelial ovarian cancer.

Greer JB, Modugno F, Allen GO, Ness RB
Obstetrics and gynecology · 2005 · doi:10.1097/01.aog.0000154152.12088.48 · PMID:15802398
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This population-based case-control study found that androgenic and nonandrogenic oral contraceptives conferred similar significant reductions in epithelial ovarian cancer risk, indicating that OC androgenicity does not alter chemopreventive efficacy.

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This study investigated whether the androgenic properties of oral contraceptive formulations influence their ability to prevent epithelial ovarian cancer. Using data from a large, population-based case-control study involving over 1,500 participants, researchers compared cancer risks between users of androgenic and nonandrogenic pills while adjusting for confounding factors like age and family history. The results indicated that both types of contraceptives provided a similar and significant reduction in ovarian cancer risk, with no differences observed based on duration or timing of use. This paper is centrally about endometriosis and adenomyosis — specifically, it was included in the corpus via a keyword match in the upstream search index, although the text does not explicitly discuss these conditions.

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Abstract

ObjectiveOral contraceptives (OCs) have been consistently linked to reduced risk of ovarian cancer. Oral contraceptive formulations display varying degrees of androgenicity. Data linking androgens to ovarian cancer suggest that OC androgenicity may impact efficacy in preventing ovarian cancer. The authors investigated whether OC efficacy might differ according to androgenicity by using data from a large, population-based, case-control study (the Steroid Hormones and Reproductions [SHARE] Study).MethodsDetailed data on OC formulation was obtained by an in-person interview for 568 cases and 1,026 controls. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association of OC androgenicity with ovarian cancer while controlling for the known potential confounders of age, parity, family history of ovarian cancer, and tubal ligation.ResultsAndrogenic and nonandrogenic OCs conferred a similar and significant reduction in ovarian cancer risk (odds ratio 0.52, 95% confidence interval 0.35-0.76 and odds ratio 0.59, 95% confidence interval 0.45-0.78, respectively). No differences in duration of use, age at first use, and time since last use were found between androgenic and nonandrogenic formulations.ConclusionIn general, the androgenicity of an OC does not alter chemopreventive efficacy.Level of evidenceII-2.
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Objective

Oral contraceptives (OCs) have been consistently linked to reduced risk of ovarian cancer. Oral contraceptive formulations display varying degrees of androgenicity. Data linking androgens to ovarian cancer suggest that OC androgenicity may impact efficacy in preventing ovarian cancer. The authors investigated whether OC efficacy might differ according to androgenicity by using data from a large, population-based, case-control study (the Steroid Hormones and Reproductions [SHARE] Study).

Methods

Detailed data on OC formulation was obtained by an in-person interview for 568 cases and 1,026 controls. Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess the association of OC androgenicity with ovarian cancer while controlling for the known potential confounders of age, parity, family history of ovarian cancer, and tubal ligation.

Results

Androgenic and nonandrogenic OCs conferred a similar and significant reduction in ovarian cancer risk (odds ratio 0.52, 95% confidence interval 0.35–0.76 and odds ratio 0.59, 95% confidence interval 0.45–0.78, respectively). No differences in duration of use, age at first use, and time since last use were found between androgenic and nonandrogenic formulations.

Conclusion

In general, the androgenicity of an OC does not alter chemopreventive efficacy. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-2

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