Use of oral contraceptive pills by woman reduces the risk of - - RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2024

RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2024

Pharmacology

Easy

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2024

Explanation

Oral contraceptive pills (OCPs) have a significant protective effect against ovarian cancer.
This benefit is well-documented and can persist for many years after a woman stops taking the pills.
The primary mechanism is the suppression of ovulation, which reduces the cellular turnover and potential for malignant changes on the ovarian surface.
Studies confirm that OCPs reduce the risk of both ovarian and endometrial cancers.

Option A: OCP use does not reduce the risk of breast cancer. The evidence is conflicting, with some studies suggesting a small, temporary increase in risk for current users, while others show no effect.
Option C: OCP use is associated with an increased risk of cervical cancer, not a reduction. This risk is more pronounced with long-term use and in women with HPV infection.
Option D: Although OCPs do reduce the risk of uterine (endometrial) cancer, the protective effect against ovarian cancer is also a major, well-established benefit and is often considered a primary non-contraceptive advantage. In a single-best-answer question, both are technically correct, but ovarian cancer is a very strong and frequently cited answer.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Non-contraceptive benefits of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), specifically their effect on cancer risk as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses play a crucial role in patient education regarding contraception. It is essential to counsel women on both the contraceptive and non-contraceptive benefits and risks of OCPs.
When a patient inquires about OCPs, it's important to discuss their personal and family medical history (e.g., history of cancer, blood clots) to assess if OCPs are a safe and appropriate option.
A key nursing intervention is to inform patients that while OCPs protect against some cancers (ovarian, endometrial), they may increase the risk of others (cervical) and do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

How to Approach the Question

First, read the question carefully to identify the core concept: which cancer risk is reduced by oral contraceptive pills.
Recall the known effects of OCPs on various cancers. This is a factual recall question.
Evaluate each option based on established medical knowledge.
Option A (Breast cancer): Recall that the link is controversial, with some evidence for a slight increase in risk, but no evidence for a reduction.
Option C (Cervical cancer): Recall that OCPs are linked to an increased risk.
Options B (Ovarian cancer) and D (Uterine cancer): Recall that OCPs are known to reduce the risk of both. Since this is a single-choice question, you must select the 'best' answer. Both are significant benefits, but the protection against ovarian cancer is a very prominent and frequently tested non-contraceptive advantage.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Non-contraceptive benefits of oral contraceptive pills (OCPs), specifically their effect on cancer risk.
Stem keywords: oral contraceptive pills, reduces the risk
Lead-in keywords: reduces the risk of

QpWFv0w6ZY51PATUKc7vBg

E6 Gynecology Williams p. 130-158

E6 Pathology- ROBBINS & COTRAN PATHOLOGIC BASIS OF DISEASE 10TH Ed p. 428-430