Cross-sectional study of cervical cancer with three step examination in rural women in Taizhou, Zhejiang

Objective To understand the prevalence of cervical cancer and precancerous lesions in women in rural area in Taizhou, Zhejiang province, and provide evidence for the prevention and control of cervical cancer. Methods Examination of gynecology, vaginal secretion and castoff cells were carried out among 35-49 years old women in the rural area in Taizhou during June-December 2012. Then vaginoscopy was done among the women with suspect or abnormal results of castoff cells examination. And then histopathologic diagnosis was done among the women with suspect or abnormal results of vaginoscopy. Results A total of 6639 women received screening, accounting for 65.58% of the total women in this age group. Abnormal castoff cells were found in 226 women (3.40%). Among them 147 (65.04%) received histopathologic diagnosis. Cervical cancer was detected in 7 women (4.76%), and precancerous lesions were found in 56 women (38.10%). The rate of cervical cancer or precancerous lesions was highest among HSIL positive women (63.33%,P0.01). In women with abnormal castoff cells, the rate of precancerous lesions among those aged 35-49 years and the rate of cervical cancer among those aged 50-59 years were high, the difference had no significance (P0.05). Conclusion The prevalence of cervical cancer and precancerous lesions were high among rural women in Taizhou, but the screening rate was low, especially among women aged 35-49 years. Health education about prevention and control of cervical cancer should be strengthened to increase the screening rate.