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- $Unique_ID{BRK00192}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{Do Condoms and Diaphragms Decrease Risk of Cervical Cancer?}
- $Subject{cancers cervix condom virus Genitourinary lifestyle lifestyles
- Condoms Diaphragms Diaphragm Cervical Cancer neoplasm neoplasms barrier
- contraceptives contraceptive contraception contraceptions spermicidal cream
- spermicide foam foams jelly jellies sexually transmitted diseases std venereal
- disease vd virus human papillomavirus}
- $Volume{B-14,J-23}
- $Log{
- Diseases of the Female Reproductive System*0009001.scf}
-
- Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
-
-
- Do Condoms and Diaphragms Decrease Risk of Cervical Cancer?
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-
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-
- QUESTION: Do condoms and diaphragms really decrease the risk of cervical
- cancer?
-
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- ANSWER: Yes, barrier contraceptives (condoms, diaphragms, spermicidal cream,
- foam, or jelly) can reduce the risk of cervical cancer. Cancer of the cervix
- is thought to be caused by a sexually transmitted virus called human
- papillomavirus. Women who have had early intercourse, more sexual partners
- before age 20, who douched frequently, and who smoke are at greater risk for
- developing this form of cancer.
- A study done in Los Angeles several years ago found that women who used
- condoms and/or spermicides for ten years or more had over 66% fewer cases of
- cervical cancer than women who did not use such contraception. Women who used
- diaphragms with spermicide also had reduced risk, but the reduction was not as
- great when diaphragms alone were used. The reduction in risk was inversely
- proportional to the number of years that condoms, diaphragms, or spermicides
- were used. The theory behind this effect is that the spermicide kills the
- virus, while the barrier keeps it away from the cervix.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-
-