ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to present the cytological and epidemiological aspects of precancerous lesions of the uterine cervix of women living in the two first cameroonian cities (Yaounde and Doubla). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The material was made of pap smears registrar of the Yaounde Central Hospital pathological laboratory and the reports of cervical cancer screening from Douala and Yaounde within a period of five years (1st January 1994 to 31st December 1998). We recruited all cases showing a precancerous lesion of the uterine cervix. For each case, we noted: the type of lesion, the age of the patient, the age at the first sexual intercourse, the age at the first delivery, the number of pregnancies, the parity, the marital status, the socioeconomical class. RESULTS: From a total of 13524 pap smears done, 946 (7%) have shown precancerous lesions. 70% of these were high grade while 30% were low grade. These lesions were observed at all age from the range of 11 to 15 years. All women showing these lesions had had sexual intercourse. 30% of these lesions were noted among women who have had their first sexual intercourses between 10 and 15 years. 40% were observed among women who have had their first sexual intercourses between 16 and 18 years. 66% among women who have had their first delivery between 13 and 21 years. 92% are observed among women who have had more than five pregnancies, more than five parities; 54% among women who are married and 76% among bachelors and widows; 64% among women with low socioeconomical status; 9% among women with high socioeconomical status. CONCLUSION: Many cameroonian women are prone to cervical cancer.
