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Epidemiology and natural history of cervical cancer
[Reproduced from the Reproductive Health Outlook (RHO) Website (http://www.rho.org), 2000.]
Biswas, LN et al., Sexual risk factors for cervical cancer among rural Indian women: a case-control study, International Journal of Epidemiology 26(3):491-495 (June 1997)
This hospital-based case-control study investigates the role of sexual risk factors in cervical cancer among rural Indian women with a low rate of sexual promiscuity. 134 women with invasive cervical cancer and 134 control women were studied. Results from multiple logistic regression analysis showed that cervical cancer is associated with early age at first coitus, extramarital sex partners of women and the time interval since first exposure. Independent effects were observed for early age at first coitus. Women who reported their first intercourse at less than 12 years of age were at the greatest risk compared to that of their counterparts at 18 years or older. Increased risk was also observed for women who had extramarital sex partners. The findings confirm the association between early age at first coitus and cervical cancer in women with a low rate of sexual promiscuity.
Bosch, FX et al., Prevalence of human papillomavirus in cervical cancer a worldwide perspective, Journal of the National Cancer Institute 87(11):796802 (June 7, 1995)
This study confirmed an extensive, global association between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and cervical cancer. The study had two objectives: to determine whether the association between cervical cancer and HPV was consistent worldwide and to investigate geographic variation in the distribution of over 20 types of cancerassociated HPV. Investigators collected more than 1,000 specimens from cervical cancer patients in 22 countries with high recorded cervical cancer incidence. HPV DNA was detected in 93 percent of the tumors. Although HPV types differed somewhat by geographic region, HPV 16 was present in 50 percent of all specimens. The second most predominant type, HPV 18, was present in 14 percent of all specimens.
