Women could reduce their chances of ovarian cancer when they use 'barrier' birth control devices. It's been known for a long time that using birth control pills protects women against ovarian cancer. But other forms of contraception haven't been well-studied.
Ovarian cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women.
And according to the American Cancer Society, more than half of the women who get the disease will die from it. Some doctors prescribe birth control pills to their patients whose family history makes them more vulnerable to the disease. Now a small study from the University of Pittsburgh shows other forms of contraception, from IUD's to condoms to tubal ligation and vasectomy also offer women some protection against ovarian cancer. Dr. Michael Klotz is Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Virginia Mason Medical Center. He says he wouldn't advise patients to change birth control methods based on this small study alone.