Avonex and cervical smears

  I read on an MS forum recently an article which quoted an MS magazine as saying that Avonex could cause abnormal cervical smears and that it would seem these were not false positive results.
  I am very concerned about this as I am of child bearing age and my hubby and myself are planning on children in the future, something cervical cancer could well put paid to.
  I am tempted to dump my Avonex since reading this report. Also could this drug cause other types of cancer longterm. I am scared to death of it now.

Dear Car,
I don't know where this information comes from, but we have no report of an increased risk of cancer with Avonex or Betaseron. The Mellen Center has been involved since the early clinical trials of Avonex, and many of our patients are on this medication. Interferons have been used outside the MS field for more than 20 years, and no long-term increase in the frequency of cancers was reported. I would not "dump" Avonex based only on this indirect report. Of course, as in the general population, we recommend that our patients get a yearly Pap smear. And you certainly know that you have to stop Avonex if you are pregnant.
Thank you for your question. remember that this information is disclosed only for the purpose of general medical education.