A 31-year-old woman attends for cervical screening. She has used combined oral contraceptives continuously for 8 years and is a smoker with 3 previous vaginal deliveries. Which of her factors independently increases the risk of developing cervical carcinoma?
- A Regular condom use with a new partner
- B Three prior full-term vaginal deliveries
- C Use of combined oral contraceptives for more than 5 years ✓
- D Age of 31 years at screening
Correct answer: C. Use of combined oral contraceptives for more than 5 years
Explanation
Long-duration combined oral contraceptive use, defined as 5 or more years, is an established cofactor that increases the risk of cervical cancer in women positive for high-risk HPV; the risk declines after cessation. High parity is also a recognized cofactor, so option B is tempting, but three deliveries is a modest number and the clearly qualifying factor here is prolonged pill use. Barrier contraception reduces HPV transmission and therefore lowers risk.
Reference: Berek and Novak's Gynecology, 16th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.