A PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF INVASIVE CANCER CERVIX AND ITS EPIDEMIOLOGY

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. Education, cervical cancer screening of high risk groups and improvement in socioeconomic status can reduce cervical cancer morbidity and mortality significantly.