Q72: Women’s health: PLAB/UK(MLA)/AKT Exam style question
A 25-year-old woman comes to your clinic seeking advice on the potential long-term effects of the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) on her health. Which of the following types of cancer has a reduced incidence in women taking the COCP?
A. Breast cancer
B. Cervical cancer
C. Ovarian cancer
D. Lung cancer
E. Pancreatic cancer
Explanations
The correct answer is C.
The combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) is a widely used method of contraception containing both estrogen and progestogen. While it is an effective and convenient method, it also has various health effects that can influence a woman's risk of developing certain types of cancer.
In the context of this PLAB 1 / UKMLA question, the COCP has been shown to have a protective effect against ovarian cancer (Option C). This effect is thought to be due to the suppression of ovulation, which reduces the number of times the ovarian epithelium is disrupted and repaired. The protective effect increases with the duration of use and persists for many years after discontinuation of the COCP.
It is essential to note that the COCP has other effects on cancer risk:
Increased risk of breast and cervical cancer: Women who take the COCP have a slightly increased risk of developing breast cancer and cervical cancer compared to those who do not. The risk of breast cancer decreases over time after stopping the pill, while the risk of cervical cancer is related to the duration of use.
Protective against endometrial cancer: Similar to its protective effect on ovarian cancer, the COCP also reduces the risk of endometrial cancer. This is likely due to the progestogen component, which opposes the proliferative effects of estrogen on the endometrium.
In summary, the COCP has a complex impact on a woman's risk of developing certain types of cancer. It is essential to counsel patients on these potential risks and benefits and help them make an informed decision about their contraceptive options.
Other contraceptive options are heavily discussed in our platform, sign up to our PLAB or UKMLA services and get access to all the necessary materials required to pass the exam.
The above question is a high-yield exam PLAB 1 / UKMLA question-style question. At MedRevisions, We provide questions and not only explain the correct answer, we also explain the wrong answer so you will have a comprehensive understanding of the concepts that is commonly tested in the exam. On top of that, we also provide you PLAB 1 / UKMLA exam curated notes with no additional cost.
To discuss to more PLAB or UK-MLA exam questions, Join: PLAB 1 /UKMLA exam study group
At MedRevisions, we strive hard to provide the most up-to-date content available for PLAB Part 1. We constantly add exam-style questions derived from the most recent exam and also update the content to align with the latest NICE/CKS guidelines to ensure doctors pass PLAB Part 1 or UKMLA exam with ease in ONE attempt.
Past PLAB 1 candidates reviews about MedRevisions
How to use MedRevisions effectively for the PLAB 1 exam/ UKMLA exam preparation
Previous PLAB 1 or UKMLA exam guideline update
All MedRevisions recent updates
What we provide:
✅ 4600+ PLAB / UKMLA exam-style questions
✅ Perfectly tailored PLAB / UKMLA exam style notes
✅ 26 exam PLAB / UKMLA exam mocks
✅ Spaced repetition learning tool
Reference:
Contraception | Topic | NICE1: This is a topic page on the NICE website that provides an overview of all NICE products on contraception, including guidance, advice, and quality standards. It also includes links to other resources, such as shared learning examples and evidence summaries.
Contraception (QS129)2: This is a quality standard from NICE that sets out priority areas for quality improvement in health and social care regarding contraception. It covers contraceptive information and methods, emergency contraception, and contraception after an abortion. It was published in September 2016.
Contraceptive services for under 25s | Guidance | NICE3: This is a public health guideline from NICE that provides recommendations on how to ensure that all young people have access to high-quality contraceptive services. It covers service design and delivery, information and advice, provision of methods, and training and education. It was published in March 2014.
Long-acting reversible contraception | Guidance | NICE4: This is a clinical guideline from NICE that covers long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) methods, such as intrauterine devices (IUDs), intrauterine systems (IUSs), contraceptive implants, and injectable contraceptives. It aims to increase the use of LARC by improving the information given to women about their contraceptive choices. It was published in October 2005.
This is approach is based on our research and reviews from past exam candidates
How similar are our questions to the PLAB 1 exam questions
