
“I think it’s really important that people keep signing up to these type of trials to push research forward.”
This trial was trying to find out if a contraceptive coil that releases hormones could reduce the risk of pre cancerous cell changes in the lining of the womb (the endometrium). It is called the Mirena coil and your doctor may call it an (IUS). This trial was supported by Cancer Research UK.
This trial was only open to women who are at high risk of endometrial cancer because they are from a family that has Lynch syndrome. This is also known as 'hereditary non polyposis colorectal cancer' or HNPCC and is a rare gene fault that runs in families. If you carry the gene fault, you are at a greater risk of several different cancers. The risk of bowel cancer is increased most. But there is also an increased risk of other cancers, including endometrial cancer.
There are tests that can show areas of thickening of the womb lining and see if there are changes in the cells. The thickening of the womb lining is called endometrial hyperplasia. If there are changes in the cells, it is called atypical endometrial hyperplasia. Atypical just means abnormal. Hyperplasia means overgrowth of cells. Atypical endometrial hyperplasia can go on to become endometrial cancer.
The Mirena coil sits inside the womb and releases a small amount of the hormone progesterone. Because the progesterone stops the lining of the womb thickening, it may help to prevent atypical endometrial hyperplasia.
The aims of the trial were
This trial was never finished so there are no results available. The researchers were unable to recruit enough patients.
Please note: In order to join a trial you will need to discuss it with your doctor, unless otherwise specified.
Professor Shirley Hodgson
Cancer Research UK
National Institute for Health Research Cancer Research Network (NCRN)
This is Cancer Research UK trial number CRUK/06/021.
Freephone 0808 800 4040
“I think it’s really important that people keep signing up to these type of trials to push research forward.”