Epidemiology of cancer of the cervix in greater Bombay

An attempt has been made to study in depth the cervical cancer problem in Greater Bombay by undertaking epidemiological investigations to identify its aetiology, by utilising the data collected by the Bombay Cancer Registry. Although cancer of the uterine cervix is found to occur at all ages in Bombay, it is mainly seen during middle age. Its incidence is highest in the Hindu community and lowest in the Parsi. This neoplasm appears to have a strong association with the degree of sexual activity. Thus it is rarely seen in nuns , and commonly found in women who have had multiple sexual partners. There is also a relative preponderance in the poorer, uneducated section of the community. In order to identify the high-risk groups, a retrospective study was undertaken of proven cases of cancer of the uterine cervix. The results were compared with those of similar controls, equal in number and closely matched for age, religion, and income, in order to examine the risk factors of possible aetiological importance in women with cervical cancer. We have sought to estimate the effects of parity, the age at first marriage and at first delivery. The highest risk was observed in women who had had multiple pregnancies early in life. It is interesting to note that multiparity seems to be an important risk factor in Bombay women, in contrast to the Western experience.