Abstract

PIP: 122 patients with histologically confirmed squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix admitted to the gynecological wards of Charity Hospital in New Orleans from July 1, 1959, through March 31, 1960, were studied; suitable controls were selected from the same wards. All interviews were conducted by the same interviewer nurse who was unaware of the diagnoses. Hospital charts were later examined. Educational level of patients, occupation of husband and father, residence, original diagnosis, and religion were similar to those of controls. Less than 1/3 had more than grammar school education. Most husbands and fathers were farmers of unskilled laborers. In only 1/5 of the patients had the original cancer diagnosis been made by private physicians or at noncharity hospitals. About 45% were Catholics, 45% Baptists, and the remaining 10% other Protestant denominations. 49% of the patients and 43% of the controls reported 6 or more pregnancies. Douching practices were similar to controls; few had ever used other contraceptive measures. 13 patients and 6 controls had positive serological tests for syphilis. Only 6, 1 patient and 5 controls, had never been married. Of cancer patients, 47% had been married more than once vs. 16% of controls. 34% of the patients with cancer were married before the age of 17 vs. 14% of controls. 54% of patients with cancer and 26% of controls reported extramarital partners. 53% of patients had 1st coitus before age 17 vs. 26% of the controls. There was a considerably higher frequency of coitus in patients than in controls. It is concluded that no relation between number of pregnancies and cancer was shown. Douching with coal tar derivatives was not a factor. The association of carcinoma and syphilis was not certain as many had never had a serological test. The effect of circumcision of partners was not determined as it was often unknown. A significant association was shown with early marriage, extramarital relations, coitus at an early age, and frequent coitus at all ages.