Cervical cancer detection by hybrid capture (TM) and evaluation of local risk factors

The city of Recife, northeastern Brazil, is reported to have the highest in cidence of cervical cancer worldwide (83.2/100 000 women). Objective: To ev aluate the efficacy of Hybrid Capture (TM) I (HC I) in cervical cancer dete ction and some risk factors in Recife. Method: Cervical scrapes for HC I an alysis followed by colposcopy were collected from 140 women (70 with cervic al cancer and 70 with normal cervix) from three screening services in Recif e. Result: HC I sensitivity and specificity were 82.9 and 41.4%, respective ly. The odds ratios for cervical cancer when Gesta greater than or equal to 5 and vaginal parity greater than or equal to 4 were, respectively, 5.30 a nd 4.27. Conclusion: HC I is a moderately sensitive method to detect cervic al cancer, but it does not seem to be useful as a primary screening tool fo r it's law specificity. Early pregnancy, high Gesta/Para and living in rura l areas were important local risk factors. (C) 2001 International Federatio n of Gynecology and Obstetrics. All rights reserved.