Razi Journal of Medical Sciences

    Background & Aim: Cervical cancer is the third most common genital malignancy in women. In majority of developing countries the prevalence of this malignancy is high. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency distribution of risk factors of cervical cancer. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 300 women with histologically confirned cervical cancer was conducted in Tehran, Iran. The method of sampling was non-probability(convenience). The setting was 7 general hospitals including obstetric and gynecology departments in Tehran. Demographic variables(age, literacy, marital status, job), contraceptive use, history of abortion, family history of cervical cancer, marriage age, age of first delivery, smoking habits, etc. were evaluated. The method of collecting data was interview, records review and structured questionnaire. We used SPSS software(version 12.0) in order to describe data. Results: The mean of age for studied women was 55.4±11.6yr. Around half of the women were illiterate. Also 17% of them reported more than once marriage 10% reported a positive history of cervical cancer in first degree relative 45% of them had history of using oral contraceptives and 12% were former smokers. Mean age of marriage and mean number of pregnancies were 16.4±4 and 6±2.7 respectively. Average duration of OC use was 9±5 year. 48% of women had history of stillbirth or abortion. Mean age of women at first pregnancy was 18.6±3.7yr. Conclusion: Mean age of studied women was 55.4 years old. The frequency of important risk factors were: positive family history(10%), low mean age of marriage(16.4 years old), high mean number of pregnancy(6), low mean age of birth(18.6years old), and long duration of OC use(9 years).