Usha K. Luthra

Role of male behavior in cervical carcinogenesis among women with one lifetime sexual partner

Background. The role of male behavior in the genesis of cervical cancer was examined. In India, where the incidence of cervical cancer is among the highest in the world, promiscuity among women is virtually unknown. In this study, the authors investigated the role of male behavior in cervical carcinogenesis among Indian women who had one lifetime sexual partner.

The number of silver-staining NORs (rDNA) in lymphocytes of newborns and its relationship to human developemnt

The number of silver-staining NORs (rDNA)/cell and their pattern of distribution were studied in phytohaemagglutinin-stimulated blood lymphocyte chromosomes of different age group individuals starting from newborns to old age (0-75 years) in order to investigate if the number of Ag-NORs or rDNA genes varies during development in humans. The results indicate presence of a relatively high modal number of NORs in newborns and infants (9.00 and 8.00/cell, respectively) and a significantly reduced number in old individuals (6.00/cell) as compared to that of normal adults (7.00/cell). These data are complimentary as well as comparable to the previous findings of Denton et al. (Mech. Ageing Dev., 15 (1981) (1-7). It is suggested that at young age due to an obvious enhanced growth and differentiation more gene sites may be transcriptionally active showing higher number of silver-stained NORs but as the development proceeds and the age advances many of these may be gradually repressed or inactivated.

Spontaneous chromosomal aberrations in patients with precancerous and cancerous lesions of the cervix uteri

Chromosomal aberrations were studied in metaphases from peripheral blood cultures of 52 women with cancer of the cervix uteri, 89 cases of various grades of cervical precancerous lesions, and 47 age-matched normal (control) women. The frequency of metaphases with chromosome and chromatid aberrations was 17.24% in cancer patients, 10.41% in those with precancerous lesions, and 6.39% in control women. There was a significant (p less than 0.001) increase in the frequency of chromosome aberrations in patients with cervical precancerous and cancerous lesions, compared with controls. After the exclusion of the treated cases, cancer patients also revealed a highly significant (p less than 0.001) increase in the frequency of chromosome aberrations, compared with controls. The results of the present study indicate the existence of chromosomal instability in the majority of cervical cancer patients and in some cases of precancerous lesions. The increased frequency of spontaneous chromosome aberrations in patients with precancerous lesions may be of importance for the understanding of their biological behavior.

Sister chromatid exchanges in patients with precancerous and cancerous lesions of cervix uteri

SummaryThe frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs) was studied in leucocytes from 46 patients with cervical carcinoma, 89 precancerous lesions, and 43 age-matched control women. The frequency of SCEs was found to be 10.15 ±2.49 in cancer, 8.83±2.15 in precancerous lesions, and 7.55±2.24 in controls. The analyses of SCE data revealed a highly significant (P<0.001) increase in precancerous and cancerous lesions compared to controls. The intra-chromosomal distribution of SCEs revealed a random increase in various chromosomal groups in patients with cancer and dysplasia compared to controls. The mean SCE level among various groups of precancerous lesions according to severity of pathological condition did not show significant differences. However, 70.8% of dysplasia cases revealed SCE levels higher than the average in controls. The increased frequencies of SCEs in the majority of cancer patients and a few, precancerous lesions indicate that individuals with high SCE levels may be at a high risk of developing cancer. Thus the usefulness of SCE levels as a preclinical marker to identify the high risk group of dysplasias needs to be ascertained by follow-up studies; these are in progress.

Reproductive Tract Infections in India: The Need for Comprehensive Reproductive Health Policy and Programs

Worldwide, the subject of human reproduction is shifting from a mainly “demographic issue” to a broader women’s health and development issue that is viewed as a key determinant of both individual well-being and societal prosperity. A general consensus now exists that reproductive health not only should include the ability to regulate fertility, but must also ensure optimal conditions for safely fulfilling the biological role of reproduction, namely, bearing and raising healthy children. Sound reproductive health policy and programs also must help both women and men to handle their sexuality with responsibility and dignity. These programs would enable women and men to cope with problems such as reproductive ill health—by preventing and treating sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and other reproductive tract infections (RTIs)—as well as providing infertility and safe abortion services. Though many diseases place a heavy burden of morbidity and mortality on both men and women in developing countries, women are more often seriously affected because of synergistic effects of infection, malnutrition, and reproduction.

Baseline frequency of sister-chromatid exchanges (SCE) in newborn lymphocytes and its relationship to in vivo aging in humans

Heparinised cord blood from newborns and peripheral venous blood from three other age groups of individuals (1-75 years) have been cultured in vitro to obtain baseline frequencies of SCE and to see if the frequency of baseline SCE in vitro varies as a function of aging in vivo. The results demonstrate an age-dependent variation in the frequency of SCEs. Although the SCE frequency was lowest (5.10/cell) in 1-5-year-old infants, a significantly higher (P less than 0.001) frequency (8.97/cell) was observed in the cord blood of newborns. In old age, the level of SCE also increased. The plausible reason(s) for such observations is discussed.

Nucleolar organizer regions in patients with precancerous and cancerous lesions of the uterine cervix

Nucleolar organizer regions (Ag-NORs) were studied in patients with cervical precancerous and cancerous lesions along with controls. The data revealed a statistically significant decrease of Ag-NORs in cancer patients, as well as in women with severe precancerous lesions as compared with controls. A similar decrease in the amount of Ag-staining was also observed in both cancer and severe dysplasia cases. The study suggests a possible relationship of Ag-NOR activity to malignancy.

Factors Associated with Awareness and Knowledge of Cervical Cancer in a Community: Implication for Health Education Programmes in Developing Countries

An attempt has been made to study the correlates of knowledge of cervical cancer in a community. The survey undertaken is a part of Knowledge, Attitude and Practice (KAP) study prior to initiation of cytological screening. Total women interviewed by KAP survey were 1411 selected through 2 stage stratified random sampling. Subjects for the present analysis consisted of a group of women who had reported previous gynaecological problems related to cervical cancer. The study brought out that younger women had better awareness and knowledge about cervical cancer and related information. Literacy status for education and exposure to family planning was influential in creating awareness about cervical cancer. Lastly, the earlier episodes of gynaecological problems, and treatment seeking behaviour lead to higher awareness (efforts may be made to innovate ways to reach older and illiterate women at risk of cervical cancer for better awareness in the community).

Factors influencing cancer of the uterine cervix in North India.

Cancer of the uterine cervix is the most common malignant tumor among women in India. The varying frequency of cervix carcinoma in different parts of the country is dependent upon certain environmental factors, such as socioeconomic conditions, sexual experience, age at marriage, fertility, and penile hygiene. This paper is based upon a clinical and statistical analysis of 693 cases of cervix carcinoma diagnosed from a population study of 39,587 women who were screened by vaginal smear examination. The findings of this study suggest the importance of the socioeconomic factors of poverty, rapid sexual maturation, early marriage and consequent early sexual experience, and early pregnancy and multiparity in producing the high incidence of cancer of uterine cervix in Indian women.

Prevalence and distribution of cancer of the uterine cervix in Agra District, India

The prevalence rates and distribution of dysplasias and cancer of the uterine cervix were studied on 26,110 women in the Agra District of India. Derived incidence rates indicate that Agra is among populations of highest risk for cervical cancer in the world. Early marriage and multiple pregnancies are reiterated as important factors. Hindu women had approximately twice the prevalence of cervical cancer seen among Muslims.