Cancer cervix: An uncommon malignancy in Kashmir, India.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To study the distribution of cancers among females with particular emphasis on cancer cervix in Kashmiri population, which is geographically and socio‑culturally distinct from the rest of India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All patient records were screened from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2011 at Regional Cancer Centre, Srinagar. Most common cancers among females were recorded and analysis of cancer cervix cases was performed. RESULTS: Female cancers comprised of 40% of total cancers with oesophageal and breast cancer as most common malignancies. Cancer cervix did not figure in top ten cancers and only 45 (0.01%) cases were recorded of the total of 3084 adult female cancers. CONCLUSION: We conclude that due to different socio‑cultural and sexual practices, this cancer is highly uncommon in Kashmir and screening or possibly should be directed specifically at only high risk selective subjects.