Exploring the associations between Female Genital Mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) and invasive cervical cancer among women

Introduction: Female genital mutilation or cutting (FGM/C), also known as female circumcision, is a traditional practice that has been documented in 29 different countries, mainly in Northern and West Africa, areas of the Middle East, and some countries in Asia. Serious sexual and reproductive health problems are experienced by girls and women who have undergone FGM. Long-term consequences include recurrent infection, urinary incontinence, pain with intercourse, complications during childbirth, and psychological effects. Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. Clinical and epidemiological studies have established a close association between inflammation and carcinogenesis. Inflammation is the body s natural response to infection and tissue damage and aids in eliminating pathogens and initiating tissue repair. The present study aimed to define the associations between Female Genital Mutilation or cutting (FGM/C) and invasive cervical cancer among women. Method: This study is a review (Review Article) analysis was performed of systematically using keywords Female Genital Mutilation or cutting, invasive cervical cancer, female circumcision, obstetric complications in information resources PubMed, Science direct, Up to Date, Google Scholar, Wiley online library, Elsevier among 2001 to 2018 years and found 49 articles were connected with topics that that have been used of full-text articles.Results: The only study of which we are aware that has assessed an association between FGM and cervical cancer was conducted in Mali in 2002 and found a 30% greater odds of developing cervical cancer in women who had undergone FGM. A hospital-based, case–control study of cervical cancer in Mali, which examined women who had undergone FGC (95.1% of cases and 92.8% of controls), found that lack of care in cleaning the genitalia was associated with a 5.6-fold increased risk of invasive cervical cancer. The result of other study showed that poor genital hygiene was associated with cervical cancer in FGM. Generally, there are three potential mechanisms that could explain an association between FGM and cervical cancer that include Chronic infection, irritation, and inflammation, as a result of FGM, could lead to squamous metaplasia in which non-cancerous cells change to a squamous morphology, trauma and laceration of genital tissue could increase women s susceptibility to HPV infection, which is a known cause of cervical cancer and compromised immune system, suffered by women who have undergone FGM, could make it more difficult to clear HPV infections Conclusion: I found to investigate the relationship between exposure to female genital mutilation (FGM) and the main types of invasive cervical cancer (ICC), notably squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma. From a public health perspective, identification of FGM as a risk factor for cervical cancer could lead to better care and cancer-prevention, in addition to better awareness of FGM detrimental effects on the health and well-being of girls and women in countries where the practice is common. Also, there is evidence that chronic inflammation is an important risk factor for epithelial cancers, in particular. In conclusion, this study suggests that advocacy efforts should continue to highlight the serious health risks and long-term complications associated with FGM. Many negative health outcomes associated with FGM are already well-documented, including urological complications and infections, complications in childbirth such as increased risk of postpartum hemorrhage, distress to the infant during delivery, and stillbirth

کلیدواژه ها:

Female Genital Mutilation or cutting ، invasive cervical cancer ، Female circumcision ، Obstetric complications