Rochester, MN—A history of oral contraceptive use appears to improve outcomes in patients who develop ovarian cancer, according to a report appearing in the journal BMC Cancer. For the study, Mayo Clinic researchers examined the outcomes of ovarian cancer patients who were seen at their facility from 2000 through 2013, with each patient having completed a risk factor questionnaire about prior oral contraceptive use. Of the 1,398 patients who completed the questionnaire, 827 responded that they had previously taken birth control pills. One type of statistical analysis found that patients who had been on the pill had improved progression-free survival and survival compared to those who had not been on the pill. A second type of analysis offered less consistent results, indicating a statistically significant association between oral contraceptive use and progression-free survival, but not overall survival.

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