A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF INVASIVE CANCER CERVIX AND ITS EPIDEMIOLOGY

Abstract

BACKGROUND Worldwide cervical cancer
comprises 12 percent of all cancers
in women and 2,31,000 women die of
cervical cancer each year. Cervical cancer
is the most common genital cancer in
Indian women with 1,26,000 new cases
and 70,000 deaths each year.Cervical
cancer is a preventable disease because
of its long preinvasive state of over 10-15
years ,availability of various screening
programmes,effective treatment for preinvasive
lesions.AIM OF THE STUDY To
know about the prevailing epidemiological
trend of cancer cervix.METHOD OF
STUDYThe study was conducted for a
duration of one year where 266 women
presenting with features of invasive cancer
cervix were included and data collected
in pre designed data
sheets.RESULTS AND ANALYSIS266
women with invasive cancer cervix were
studied. Peak incidence were in the age
group between 40-60 years.In the study
group of 266 cases, 250 cases were multiparous
women,
236 cases belonged to low socioeconomic
status class IV and V.73 percent patients
belonged to rural population and 95 percent
belonged to Hindu community.71 percent
of women had sexual activity before
20 years of age. 79 percent had duration of
sexual activity more than 20 years.History
of sexual promiscuity was obtained in 44.5
percent patients partners.Majority of biopsy
proven lesions were squamous cell carcinomas(
97.8 percent) and adenocarcinoma
were found only in 2.2 percent of patients.
Patients presenting for primary surgical
treatment were only 2.3 percent( less
than or equal to stage IIa )with majority being
inoperable.Follow up of patients after
initial evaluation was only 80.4 percent with
19.5 percent being lost to follow up. Patients
awareness about cervical cancer and
screening programmes were only 19.2 percent.
CONCLUSION The evidence based
medicine suggests that cervical cancer is
preventable and is highly suitable for primary
prevention.Sexual hygiene and use of
barrier contraceptives can undoubtedly reduce
cervical cancer incidence.