Cervical neoplasia risk in women provided hormonal contraception without a Pap smear

Abstract

The study was conducted to determine whether women using a demonstration program providing hormonal birth control without concurrent pelvic examination ( First Stop) are at higher risk of cervical neoplasia compared to women using traditional family planning clinics. Using retrospective ion of medical charts, we compared risk factors for cervical neoplasia among 400 First Stop clients and 400 traditional site clients matched on age, race, and contraceptive method. We determined prevalence of these factors: previous abnormal cervical smear, <16 years at first intercourse, multiple sexual partners, high parity, history of sexually transmitted infections, and current cigarette smoking. First Stop clients were not at greater likelihood of having any risk factor for cervical neoplasia except high parity. First Stop clients who failed to follow through on a referral to a traditional clinic were not more likely to be of higher risk than those who did follow through. Of 13 First Stop clients with the highest risk profiles (previous abnormal cervical smear plus one other risk factor), one did not follow through with referral. First Stop clients choosing hormonal contraception without a pelvic examination do not appear to be at substantially higher risk of cervical neoplasia. Future research should quantify more precisely the risks and benefits of the general application of this strategy on a population level.