Retrospective (One Year) Study of Cases of Ca Cervix

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the most common cause of cancer in India. It is considered a preventable disease by WHO because it can be diagnosed in its precancerous stage. But in India women come too late when the cancer is incurable and no treatment is available. However mass screening is not feasible in resource poor settings as it is expensive. But opportunistic screening and downstaging can go a long way in controlling the disease. Objective: To evaluate causative factors and stage of cancer so as to assess strategies to control the disease. Materials and Methods: One year retrospective analysis of cases of carcinoma cervix was done to evaluate incidence, parity, rural/urban, sexual and reproductive factors, socioeconomic factors, contraceptive usage, and disease stage. Results: Total number of gynae admissions was 175 out of which 39(22.28%) cases were of Ca cervix. Most cases (25.64 %) were in 60-64 years age group, followed by 35-39 years (20.51%). Majority (51.28%) were para four and above. Maximum cases (84.61%) belonged to rural background. Discharge per vaginum with pain lower abdomen was commonest presenting symptom (58.97%) followed by postcoital bleeding and irregular bleeding (41.03%). Median age at first sexual contact was 18.9 years. No history of contraceptive usage in 53.84%. Three cases were HIV positive. No patient had screening for cervical cancer. 18(46.15%) cases were of advanced stage, 15(38.46%) stage II and 6(15.38%) to stage I. Conclusion: Main factors responsible were early onset of coitus, absence of contraceptive use, multiparity, poor socioeconomic status, rural background and no cervical cancer screening. In India, women come too late when the cancer is incurable. As mass screening is not feasible in poor resource settings, opportunistic screening and downstaging can go a long way in controlling the disease.