The latency period of carcinoma-in-situ of the cervix

The age-specific incidence figures for gonorrhea and cervical carcinoma-in-situ in Alberta, Canada, have been correlated. The findings suggest that when reliable population-based data are available, changes in incidence and age distribution for gonorrhea can be regarded as predictive for comparable changes in incidence and age distribution for carcinoma-in-situ of the cervix with a delay in presentation of approximately five years. The latency period of carcinoma-in-situ of the cervix does not seem to vary considerably among different age groups. The results of the present study support the theory that a sexually transmitted infectious agent could be an etiologic factor in cervical cancer. Because gonorrhea rates in younger women indicate that they are engaging in earlier sexual activity with more partners, regular cervical screening should be encouraged to prevent a potential major increase of invasive cervical cancer.