No AF/bleeding - cancer risk?

[nicoleE]

I heard somewhere that if you do not have AF (or bleed) at least 3-4 times a year (every 3 months) there is an increased risk of cervical cancer, is this true? :(

I have not bled for almost 4 months now after coming off the pill, my GP said if I dont in 6 months after coming off to go back to see him but quite frankly I want to sooner! I am concerned about the health risks but understand that they might be low still (although still there!) I was kid of hoping that the GP may do something a little earlier if I portrayed my concern about the health risks associated with not bleeding for months on end. But I dont know enough about it.

Does anyone have any info on this (perhaps the PCOS'ers?). Both my sisters have PCOS and I have had a blood test however most levels did not indicate PCOS, although I do have high testosterone. The GP said "it does not point to PCOS at this stage"....

:confused:

[Tam-I-Am]

Hi,

I'm not a doctor but I do know this: Cervical cancer is actually a caused by a sexually transmitted disease - the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) - which is also responsible for genital warts. It is not caused by lack of bleeding. In fact there is research to suggest that fewer AFs lead to less incidence of breast and uterine cancer - as there are lower levels of oestrogen and progesterone in the bloodstream (high levels of either hormone can lead to increased growth of abnomal - ie cancerous - cells). When I was on the pill, well before I had my DD - my GP had advised me to skip the sugar pills for 4 packets running, so that I would only get a period once every 3 months. This was fine!

If you're unsure or worried, I'd seek a second opinion - if you're unhappy with the advice that your own doctor has given you, then ask another.

Good luck!

[Chickadee]

Cervical cancer is actually a caused by a sexually transmitted disease - the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) - which is also responsible for genital warts.
Hmm, well I'm not sure that cervical cancer is caused by HPV. But having HPV does make you more likely to have cervical cancer. I'm not sure the link is clearly understood.

I've done a bit of looking into cervical cancer and never heard of a link between long menstrual cycles (or missed periods). Sorry.

[nicoleE]

I found this
Endometrial Cancer (Endometrial Carcinoma)
Women with PCOS appear to be at increased risk for developing cancer of the endometrium (lining of the uterus) later in life.

From her teens through menopause, all women experience a monthly buildup of the endometrial lining in the uterus, as the body prepares itself for the potential of a fertilized egg. If a woman does not become pregnant, the lining normally is shed through menstruation.

Women with PCOS also experience the monthly buildup of the endometrial lining. However, the lining is not sufficiently shed because she has infrequent or nonexistent menstrual periods. Thus, the lining continues to build and can increase the risk of endometrial cancer.


Perhaps it is Endometrial Cancer and not Cervical Cancer I was thinking of? (assuming there is a difference!)
I looked on Google and found allot of similar references... Maybe those with PCOS may have heard of it? Perhaps the risk is very very low if not many have heard of this risk..

[nicoleE]

Also found this which explains it better: http://www.pcos.insulitelabs.com/PCOS-and-Cancer.php

in part
Because PCOS causes disruptions to the normal menstrual cycle - irregular menstrual periods and the absence of ovulation cause women to produce estrogen, but not progesterone. Without progesterone, which causes the endometrium (the lining of the uterus) to shed each month as a menstrual period, the endometrium may grow too much and undergo atypical cell changes. This is a pre-cancerous condition called endometrial hyperplasia. If the thickened endometrium is not treated, over a long period of time it can develop into endometrial cancer.

[Chickadee]

Nicole, yep, that sounds more like endometrial cancer. Pre-cancerous cell changes on the cervix is called cervical dysplasia and is different from what you've described.

I hope you can find more information on it. I know there are several ladies on here with PCOS so maybe another member will know more. Good luck.

[Tam-I-Am]

Hi guys,

Just to clarify - the research has clearly defined a causal link between the human papillomavirus and cervical cancer - that's why the trials for the HPV vaccine are already underway - it would prevent girls from catching HPV and possibly contracting cervical cancer.


Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common viral sexually transmitted infection, with estimates that up to 75 per cent of people are infected at some time.1 Whilst most infection resolves without symptoms, some human papillomavirus infections can persist and cause cancer. In particular, the role of HPV infection in causing cervical cancer, the second most common cause of cancer in women worldwide, is undisputed. HPV exists as over 200 types but only some of these types are oncogenic (causing cervical, other anogenital cancers, oral and laryngeal cancers.) Other common HPV types cause skin warts.

That quote is from this (http://www.health.gov.au/internet/wcms/publishing.nsf/content/cda-pubs-cdi-2004-cdi2802-htm-cdi2802p.htm) website.