Major Risk Factors for Cervical Cancer in Northeast of Iran: Evidence from a Case-Control Study

Cervical cancer is known to be a preventable cancer in which various risk factors play role in increasing the risk of the disease. In this study, we have assessed different risk factors involved in invasive cervical cancer in Northeast of Iran.

In a case control study, 100 patients with advanced cervical cancer were compared to 100 healthy, normal women. In addition, 100 cases of prisoner women who had a high risk profile for cervical cancer were also investigated. Cervical risk factors for these groups were documented using a questionnaire and available medical notes. Univariate analysis was done for each risk factor followed by a multivariate regression analysis to evaluate the most powerful risk factors after adjustment.

Age of first intercourse ≤16 (P<0.001)[OR= 4.18, 95% CI (2.32-7.54)], sexually transmitted diseases (STD) (P<0.001) [OR=8.59,95% CI (4.25-17.37)], passive smoking (P<0.01) [OR= 2.35, 95% CI (1.17-4.72)], smoking (P<0.01) [OR=10.33, 95% CI (2.32-46.17)], age of first pregnancy ≤17 years (P<0.001) [OR= 3.37, 95% CI (1.79-6.33)] were strongly related to the occurrence of cervical cancer. However, STD remained statistically significant (P<0.01) after adjustment.