It's possible oral contraceptives cause cellular changes that "might make the cervix more prone to possible infection or damage," Dr. Green said.
But no matter what's driving up the odds, the additional risk isn't all that big, according to the new study published in The Lancet.
In industrialized countries, there are roughly 3.8 cases of cervical cancer for every 1,000 women who have never used birth control pills. The odds of cervical cancer rise slightly to 4.5 cases for every 1,000 women who have taken oral contraceptives for at least 10 years.
Other studies have shown that oral contraceptives slightly nudge up the short-term odds of getting breast cancer, too. But, at the same time, the pills have a long-lasting effect in reducing the chances of ovarian and endometrial cancers, Dr. Green noted.
"Over all, in the long term, the Pill is probably a benefit in terms of cancer, rather than a risk," she said.
Questioning drug trials
Does the source of funding for a drug trial really influence the outcome? A new study by Spanish researchers suggests it does make a big difference if a drug company is footing the bill. And, in particular, industry-funded trials are less likely to find something wrong with the medication being tested.
The research team, led by Antonio Nieto of Children's Hospital La Fe in Valencia, reviewed 504 studies of inhaled corticosteroids which are commonly prescribed for asthma and other respiratory problems. Although these medications are the "cornerstone" of asthma treatment, there have been worries about potentially harmful side effects including decreases in bone-mineral density and growth suppression.
Over all, the industry-backed trials were more likely to conclude the drugs are safe, or have fewer adverse effects, compared with independently funded trials, according to the new study published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine.
"Remarkably, the type of funding was a major determinant of the author's interpretation of adverse effects," the researchers write. They can't say for sure "if the pharmaceutically funded studies were too benevolent or the non-pharmaceutically funded studies are too cautious." But they suggested that knowing the source of funding should "help readers of these studies have a better informed and balanced judgment on the authors' interpretations."
Focus on vision loss
Worried that you may be losing your sight, or trying to help a loved one who is already blind?
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The book, titled You and
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