Abstract:
INTRODUCTION : Cervical cancer is ranked the 7th most common cancer in the world. Cancer of the cervix is the second most commonly diagnosed
cancer after breast cancer and the third leading cause of cancer deaths among females in less developed countries. Incidence rates are highest in
countries with low income. Nearly 90% of cervical cancer deaths occur in developing parts of the world. The study researchers therefore, carried
out a retrospective study to determine the proportion of cervical cancer among other types of cancer in the cancer registry of the Bamenda
Regional Hospital. METHODS : The objective of this study was to determine the proportion of cervical cancer among other types of cancers in the
cancer registry of the Bamenda Regional Hospital, North West Region of Cameroon from past records. We reviewed all records from the registry of
patients who attended the Bamenda Regional Hospital to screen and/or be operated upon for cervical cancer and other types of cancer. Sociodemographic
and clinical characteristics of cases were captured using a data collection sheet: age, type of cancer, stage of cancer, type of surgery
carried out and date of surgery. Data were entered and analysed in Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25 software. RESULTS : 59
cancer cases were received in the center between 2012 and 2017. Of these, 31 (52%) had cervical cancer. Most patients who screened positive for
cancer of the cervix were of the 50-54 age groups. Most of these patients (47.5%), were received at late stages (stages 3 and 4). CONCLUSION : Over half (52%) of the patients receiving cancer care in this center have cervical cancer and generally turn up late for management.
