Can the Depo Shot Cause Cancer?

Possible links between Depo-Provera and cancer are complex. While the Depo shot can slightly increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer, it can also reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. During the development of Depo-Provera, the drug was intended to treat both kidney and endometrial cancer. Currently, the biggest cause of concern surrounding the Depo shot involves a potential increased risk of intracranial meningiomas, a type of brain tumor.

Our law firm would like to look at facts about the Depo shot and cancer risks. Let’s explore the cancer concerns surrounding Depo-Provera and what researchers have found. We’ll then note the 2024 study in the British Medical Journal (BMJ) that has raised alarms about the birth control shot’s links to intracranial meningiomas.

If you were on Depo-Provera and developed an intracranial meningioma, our attorneys can help you file a lawsuit against Pfizer. The birth control shot lawyers at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can discuss your eligibility for legal compensation during a free case review.

 

What Is Depo-Provera?

Depo-Provera is the brand name for medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). It is a contraceptive injection taken every three months (12 weeks). The birth control shot significantly decreases the chances of an unwanted pregnancy. Women on the Depo shot were prescribed either:

• Depo-Provera
• Depo-subQ Provera 104

With regular use, Depo-Provera is 96% effective. An estimated 20 million women worldwide have used the Depo shot.

The Development of Depo-Provera

Medroxyprogesterone acetate was discovered in 1956 by Syntex and the Upjohn Company, the latter of which was eventually acquired by Pfizer. MPA was originally developed to treat recurrent pregnancy loss and problems with menstruation.

Upjohn introduced MPA to the American market under the brand name Provera in 1959. In 1960, Upjohn introduced a different formulation of MPA known as depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA). This new formulation was released under the brand name Depo-Provera. DMPA was intended to treat kidney cancer and endometrial cancer.

How the Depo Shot Works

The Depo shot contains progestin, a synthetic form of the naturally occurring hormone known as progesterone. Progestins like MPA are sometimes referred to as progestogens.

Progestin prevents a woman from ovulating (releasing an egg from the ovaries). With no egg to be fertilized, a woman cannot become pregnant.

In addition to preventing ovulation, progestin also increases the thickness of a woman’s cervical mucus, which creates another layer of protection. Thicker cervical mucus makes it more difficult for sperm to reach a waiting egg.

Difficulty Getting FDA Approval

Depo-Provera received FDA approval for use as a contraceptive in 1992. By that time, it was already being used as a form of birth control in more than 90 other countries.

The FDA previously rejected approval of the Depo shot in 1967, 1974, and 1983. In each of these cases, the FDA noted long-term health concerns from the use of Depo-Provera, which included potential cancer risks.

Can I Get Cancer from Using Depo-Provera?

As we noted above, Depo-Provera could slightly increase the risk for certain cancers while lowering the risk for other kinds of cancers.

• Depo-Provera and Breast Cancer: Some research has found a slight increase in breast cancer risk for women who have used Depo-Provera for a few years, and particularly in women who started using Depo-Provera before the age of 25. However, this slight increase in risk goes down after a woman has stopped taking the birth control shot.
• Depo-Provera and Cervical Cancer: Research is mixed on the connection between the Depo shot and cervical cancer. Some studies find no connection between Depo-Provera use and cervical cancer, while other studies note a possible increased risk for long-term users of the birth control shot.
• Depo-Provera and Ovarian Cancer: Using the Depo shot can potentially decrease a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer. This is the case when women take any form of hormonal contraception, which includes Depo-Provera and the birth control pill.
• Depo-Provera and Endometrial Cancer: Using the Depo shot can significantly decrease the risk of endometrial cancer. In fact, Depo-Provera is prescribed to women with endometriosis to help reduce pain and manage other symptoms associated with the condition.

If you have any concerns about potential cancer risks, be sure to speak with your doctor.

Increased Risk of Meningiomas from Depo-Provera Use

As we noted earlier, there’s been increasing concern about the risk of developing intracranial meningiomas after using Depo-Provera.

According to the March 2024 study in the British Medical Journal, Depo-Provera use made women five times more likely to develop intracranial meningiomas. This heightened risk remains even if a woman stops using the birth control shot much earlier in life.

The Study in the British Medical Journal (BMJ)

The BMJ analyzed different kinds of progestins using numbers from the French National Health Data System. The analysis found that the prolonged use of medrogestone, promegestone, and medroxyprogesterone acetate increased the chances of developing intracranial meningiomas.

According to the BMJ, medroxyprogesterone acetate (the primary progestin in Depo-Provera) made patients 555% more likely to develop intracranial meningiomas.

What Are Intracranial Meningiomas?

An intracranial meningioma is a type of tumor that affects the meninges, which is the protective membrane surrounding the spinal cord and brain. These types of tumors are also known as meningeal tumors.

While they tend to be more common in older populations, meningiomas can affect people of any age.

Are Meningial Tumors Common?

Relatively speaking, yes. Intracranial meningiomas are the most common type of brain tumor. Around 170,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with meningiomas each year.

Thankfully, most intracranial meningiomas are benign (non-cancerous) and can be treated. It’s estimated that 92% of meningioma patients will survive their condition for more than five years after an initial diagnosis.

Risk Factors for Intracranial Meningiomas

While the exact cause of intracranial meningiomas is still unknown, there are a few potential risk factors:

• Female Hormones: Intracranial meningiomas are two to three times more common in women than in men. There is speculation that female hormones could be a contributing risk factor to the condition, with a heightened risk when women take birth control or undergo hormone therapy.
• Radiation Exposure: Any radiation exposure or radiation therapy involving the head may increase your risk for intracranial meningioma.
• Genetics/Family History: Patients with a family history of intracranial meningiomas are more at risk for developing these types of tumors. The same is true of people with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a rare condition that causes tumors to form on nerves, especially nerves in the skull and spine.
• Obesity: Some research suggests that people who are obese are more likely to develop intracranial meningiomas, though the reasons why are unclear.

Symptoms of Intracranial Meningiomas

The most common warning signs of an intracranial meningioma include:

• Headaches
• Double vision
• Blurry vision
• Hearing loss
• Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
• Difficulty speaking
• Difficulty swallowing
• Weakness in the arms or legs
• Paralysis in certain parts of the body
• Loss of smell
• Memory loss
• Seizures

If you notice any combination of these symptoms, particularly seizures, seek immediate medical attention.

Do Depo-Provera Warning Labels Mention Intracranial Meningiomas?

In the United States, no. Depo-Provera warning labels include no mention of intracranial meningiomas. Until recently, Pfizer never informed doctors or patients about the potential risk of developing meningeal tumors using the birth control shot.

By contrast, warning labels for Depo-Provera in Canada and Europe do mention the increased potential for intracranial meningiomas.

Treatment Options for Intracranial Meningiomas

If you have been diagnosed with an intracranial meningioma, immediate treatment may not be necessary. When symptoms are mild, doctors may recommend screenings and regular checkups to monitor the development of the tumor. More invasive treatment will be recommended when symptoms start to affect your daily life.

When intracranial meningioma symptoms are severe, doctors may recommend the following treatments:

• Surgery: For meningiomas that cause major changes to quality of life, surgical removal is often recommended. Depending on where the meningioma is located in relation to the spinal cord and the brain, complete removal of the tumor may not be possible.
• Radiation Therapy: When the intracranial meningioma cannot be surgically removed or can only be partially removed, doctors may recommend radiation therapy to target the remaining cells of the tumor.
• Chemotherapy: If the brain tumor does not respond to surgery or radiation therapy, doctors may recommend chemotherapy to target the intracranial meningioma. Chemo is rarely used to treat this kind of tumor.

Can I File a Lawsuit for Meningiomas Caused by the Depo Shot?

Yes, potentially. You may be able to sue Pfizer if you have been diagnosed with an intracranial meningioma and took Depo-Provera earlier in life. Compensation from your legal claim against Pfizer can help cover your medical bills as well as any changes in your quality of life caused by the meningeal tumor.

The Depo shot lawyers at Bursor & Fisher, P.A. can advocate for women harmed by taking this contraceptive injection. Our law firm can help you hold Pfizer legally accountable for health problems that affected your life and livelihood.

How Much Can I Win in a Birth Control Shot Lawsuit?

The amount you could receive in Depo-Provera litigation varies based on your meningioma diagnosis and the ways your life has been affected. Our attorneys will consider:

• Medical expenses related to the diagnosis and treatment of your intracranial meningioma
• Loss of income and future earnings caused by your intracranial meningioma
• Changes in your quality of life associated with the development of intracranial meningiomas

During your free case evaluation, our Depo shot lawyers will review how your condition has affected your quality of life to help you understand the true value of your claim.

If You Do Not Have Your Old Depo-Provera Prescription, We Can Find It for You

Many women took Depo-Provera much earlier in their lives. For most patients, prescriptions are discarded after they’ve been filled and are rarely copied or retained. Locating old prescription records can be difficult, especially when many clinics or medical facilities that provided the injection have since closed.

Not to worry. You do not need to have the prescription yourself to qualify for Depo shot litigation. Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is here to help.

Our law firm’s investigators can track down an old Depo-Provera prescription. This includes prescriptions from decades ago and from medical facilities that have been closed for years. Let us do the investigative work while you focus on getting treatment for your meningioma.

Why Choose Bursor & Fisher, P.A. for Your Depo-Provera Brain Tumor Lawsuit

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is a nationwide leader in complex, high-stakes litigation. Our law firm has offices located in Miami, New York City, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Since 2008, our lawyers have represented more than 160 million people in legal actions—that’s roughly 1 in every 2 Americans.

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. has secured numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements in complex lawsuits throughout the country. This includes a $267 million jury verdict against a debt collector who was found to have violated the Telephone Consumer Protection Act.

How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Depo-Provera Lawyer?

There is no upfront cost to hiring a lawyer with Bursor & Fisher, P.A.

In addition to free consultations, Bursor & Fisher, P.A. operates on a contingency fee basis. That means you only pay our Depo shot attorneys if we can recover money for you.

Our lawyers are here to advocate for women who’ve been diagnosed with meningiomas after taking Depo-Provera. Your story matters, and our team will help amplify your voice to make sure you are heard.

Contact Our Lawyers If You Developed a Meningioma After Using Depo-Provera

Were you diagnosed with an intracranial meningioma? Are you currently on the Depo shot, or did you use it much earlier in life? Our lawyers can help you seek compensation. For more information about litigation against Pfizer, contact our law firm today for a free consultation.

Bursor & Fisher, P.A. is not a medical provider. The information on this website is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as, nor should it be considered a substitute for, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.