Aim: Frequency of cervical cancer in women of reproductive age presenting with abnormal vaginal bleeding.

Methodology: Descriptive cross sectional study, done at Department of Obs &Gynae, JPMC, Karachi

Duration of study: Six months from 01-11-2014 to 30-04-2015

Total 73 patients of age 18-45 years, having history of abnormal vaginal bleeding > 3 menstrual cycles were selected. Pregnant woman, abortion within last 6 months, age >45 years, fibroid/ tumors/ polyps, PID, gonorrhea, or Chlamydia patients were excluded. Chi-square was used as test of significance with a P value <0.05 taken as significant. 

Results: Mean ± SD age was 38.12 ± 4.33 years. Mean ± SD parity was 2.21 ± 1.67 children (Range: 0-5). Mean ± SD duration of presenting symptoms was 7.45 ± 2.81 months (Range 3-11). About one fifth of patients (i.e. 19.2%) were of age between 18-25 years. a vast majority (i-e; 43.8%) were in 26-35 years age category while remaining (36.99%) patients were of age between 36-45 years. 12.3% women had no children, 35.6% had 1-2 children, 28.8% had 3-4 children while remaining 23.3% women had 5 children.  12 out of 73 (16.4%) women had cervical cancer confirmed through biopsy and histopathology of cervical tissue. Age was significant (P value = 0.003) while parity & duration of presenting symptoms were non-significant (P values = 0.110 & 0.405 respectively).

Conclusion: The study found that almost every 6^th women with abnormal vaginal bleeding is suffering from cervical cancer. Younger age women and those having lesser parity are less prone to this condition.

Keywords: Abnormal vaginal bleeding, Cervical cancer, Postcoital bleeding