Cervical carcinoma in a Muslim community

Area of Science:

• Gynecologic Oncology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Cervical cancer remains a significant health concern globally.
• Understanding patient demographics and disease presentation is crucial for effective public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the age, stage at presentation, and histological morphology of cervical cancer patients in a predominantly Muslim population in Lahore, Pakistan.
• To identify trends that can inform targeted screening and early detection initiatives.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study of 419 cervical cancer patients registered between December 1994 and June 2004.
• Data collected included patient age, disease stage (FIGO classification), and tumor histology (confirmed by Papanicolaou smear).
• Univariate analysis was performed on demographic and clinical factors.

Main Results:

• The mean age of patients was 49.2 years, with the most frequent age being 50 years.
• Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the predominant histology, accounting for 73.5% of cases.
• A significant majority of patients (67%) presented with advanced disease (Stage II-IV), while only 12% were diagnosed at early stages (0 or I).

Conclusions:

• The study reveals a high proportion of advanced-stage cervical cancer at presentation in this population.
• There is a clear need to implement and emphasize cost-effective screening programs for early detection.
• Early detection of pre-clinical stages is vital to improve patient outcomes and reduce the burden of cervical cancer.