Contraception in patients with a history of cancer: skin, gastrointestinal, hematological, and endocrine cancers (Part II)

As the body grows old, the risk of cancers increases. Aging is one of the most significant risk factors for cancer. The peak (65%) incidence rate of cancers is noticed at the age of 63 years. However, at a younger age of30-59years, a third (33%) of all neoplasias is detected in women. Young people are most often diagnosed with hereditary cancer syndromes that result from genetic defects. Early diagnosis and the latest advances in anticancer therapy form the basis for increasing survival and reducing cancer death rate. After the successful completion of therapy for a malignant neoplasm, some patients need effective contraception, because the onset of pregnancy may be associated with a high risk for progression or recurrence of the neoplastic process. To date, there have been no clearly formulated recommendations or protocols for prescribing contraception in patients with a family history of cancer. This paper gives the results of the work of the European Society of Contraception Expert Group that has attempted to identify the most common types of cancers in women who are likely to need this or that contraception methods to be prescribed after their cure. Information on the characteristics of treatment, its impact on fertility, efficiency/ risks to health, possible benefits and contraindications to the available contraception methods is analyzed for each type of cancer. The obtained information (of studies and reviews) is summarized in the guidelines for contraception for each type of cancer. Due to a large amount of information, the results are presented in two parts. Part 1 includes the contraception methods used after breast and reproductive organ cancers. Part 2 summarizes results and recommendations regarding contraception in women with a history of skin, gastrointestinal, hematological, and endocrine cancers. Conclusion. Patients with a family history of cancer should be informed about the level of safety and efficiency of this and that contraception method. Most experts hold to the idea that non-hormonal contraception methods should be a priority. However, emergency contraception is permitted in any case.

cancer, contraception, skin cancer, colorectal cancer, hepatocellular cancer, endocrine cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, melanoma