Lancet Oncol

Do oral contraceptives increase liver cancer risk?

July 17, 2025

Study details: This study analyzed data on more than 1.5 million women from the Million Women Study and UK Biobank, with median follow-up of 21.4 and 12.6 years, respectively, to assess the association between oral contraceptive use and incident liver cancer. Authors also conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 23 observational studies, including 5,422 liver cancer cases.

Results: No significant association was found between ever-use of oral contraceptives and liver cancer risk in either the Million Women Study (hazard ratio [HR], 1.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97–1.13) or UK Biobank (HR, 1.08; 95% CI 0.76–1.55). The meta-analysis confirmed this (relative risk [RR], 1.04; 95% CI 0.98–1.11). However, a small but statistically significant increase in liver cancer risk was observed per 5 years of oral contraceptive use (RR, 1.06; 95% CI 1.02–1.10), including both hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma subtypes.

Clinical impact: Current evidence indicates that oral contraceptive use doesn’t meaningfully increase overall liver cancer risk. However, clinicians should be aware of a possible small risk increase with longer durations of use, though residual confounding cannot be excluded.

Source:

Watling CZ, et al. (2025, July 2). Lancet Oncol. Oral contraceptive use and risk of liver cancer: a population-based study, systematic review, and meta-analysis. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40617239/