Title: A study of environmental factors in carcinoma of the cervix.

POPLINE Document Number: 540001

Author(s):

Wynder EL
Cornfield J
Schroff PD
Doraiswami KR

Source citation:

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 1954;68:1016-1052.

Abstract:

Epidermoid cancers rarely occur in sites not exposed to exogenous factors of irritation. To study the role of environmental factors in the production of cervical cancer, a clinical-statistical study was carried out jointly in the United States and India. A review is given of the incidence of cervical cancer as encountered in various population groups including: Jews, Fijis, Moslems, Negroes, low-income groups, marital status groups, and prostitutes. This study was an attempt to determine by personal interview whether factors that could explain variations in the incidence of cervical cancer among the different population groups could also explain variations within each group and vice versa. The major associations which this study suggests or confirms are marital status, age at 1st marriage, age at 1st coitus, number of marriages, and circumcision status of the partner. However, statistical associations do not by themselves necessarily establish the etiological significance of the associated factors. The present results are compatible with the concept that those population groups having a late age at 1st coitus and 1st marriage and low remarriage rate, whose men are circumscribed, have a lower rate of carcinoma of the cervix. Carcinogenesis represents the effect of many factors some of which may be endogenous and some exogenous.

Keywords:

Epidemiologic Methods
Statistical Studies
United States
India
Cervical Cancer
Incidence
Ethnic Groups
Religion
Socioeconomic Status
Marital Status
Age Factors
Sex Behavior
Statistics
Research Methodology
Studies
Developed Countries
North America
Americas
Asia, Southern
Asia
Developing Countries
Cancer
Neoplasms
Diseases
Measurement
Cultural Background
Population Characteristics
Demographic Factors
Population
Socioeconomic Factors
Economic Factors
Nuptiality
Behavior