Small family norm and uterine cervical cancer

Carcinoma of the cervix is known to have a multifactorial etiology and several factors are implicated in increasing the risk of eventual development of cervical malignancy in a woman. This communication attempts to highlight the small family norms in the prevention of uterine cervical cancer. Data on 117,411 cytologically screened women were considered in which 215 women were found to have cervical cancer. Age adjusted rates of malignancy per 100,000 women in three parity groups (0-2, 3-4 and 5+) were 91.1, 174.4 and 393.1 respectively. An increasing trend of malignancy was noticed with increasing parity in women who had their consummation of marriage before 18 years as well as after 18 years. It may be concluded that the small family norm (only two children) being advocated as a part of a national family welfare program would be another primary prevention measure against uterine cervical cancer.