Factors associated wih high and low risk of cervical neoplasia

Among 34,318 participants in a cervical cancer screening program conducted in 12 California counties between 1975 and 1979, biopsy-proved cervical neoplasia was found in 166. These women served as cases in a case-control study to investigate the association of selected characteristics with the risk of cervical dysplasia and/or cancer. A random sample of program participants with only negative cytologic tests formed the control group. The following factors showed no association with cervical neoplasia: ethnic affiliation, age at menarche, age at first marriage, age at first pregnancy, age at birth of first child, mean number of children, and ever use of oral contraceptives. Risk of cervical neoplasia was increased in women who were less than 40 years of age; were of poverty or low income status; and were separated, divorce, or widowed. A decrease in risk was associated with nulliparity, ever use of estrogens for relief of menopausal symptoms, and ever use of the diaphragm.