Assessing Hormonal Risk Factors in Cervical Cancer: A Clinical Perspective

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is a major global health concern, and hormonal elements are increasingly
being recognized as potential risk factors. This study sought to assess the clinical link between hormonal
interventions—such as oral contraceptives, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), intrauterine devices
(IUDs), and hormonal injections—and cervical health outcomes, including Pap smear abnormalities,
infection history, and cervical monitoring practices.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on 350 women aged 30 to 65 years who
visited outpatient gynecological clinics in tertiary healthcare facilities. Focusing on reproductive history,
hormone medication use, lifestyle variables, and cervical screening results, structured questionnaires and
retrospective record reviews gathered data. Using SPSS version 25.0, statistical analysis was conducted;
chi-square tests were used to assess correlations between cervical anomalies and hormonal variables.
Statistically significant was a p-value under 0.05.
Results: Most of the participants were between 46 and 55 years old (28.9%). More than half said they
used HRT (53.1%), hormonal injections or implants (49.4%), and IUDs (51.4%). Among HRT users,
almost equal percentages said they used it for less than one year, 1–5 years, and more than five years.
While 50.9% said they were not tracked for cervical alterations following HRT, 44.3% of patients reported
pap smear abnormalities during or after HRT. Especially 46.3% had recorded illnesses that could affect
hormonal effects. Common as well were high-fat, low-fiber diets and alcohol use, which could interact
with cervical and hormonal effects.
Conclusion: This study found a high prevalence of Pap smear abnormalities and poor cervical monitoring
among women using hormonal treatments. Especially in the context of other risk factors like poor
nutrition, alcohol use, and recorded infections, the results underline the necessity for regular cervical
screening and focused education for women using HRT or other hormone treatments.