Rapid onset of cervical cancer in an upper socioeconomic group.

In this series of 130 patients with cervical cancer, 25% had a short interval of less than 3 years from negative cytologic screenings to finding of cancer. In the short interval group, the peak age was 30 to 35 years, but lesions also developed in younger women and in women aged 60 years and older. The majority of lesions were still in situ, a lesser number had microinvasion and two had invasive squamous carcinoma. The usually accepted risk factors, low socioeconomic group, multiparity, and poor hygiene, did not prevail in all cases. Some patients had no history of pregnancy. They were not considered to be in a low socioeconomic group and poor hygiene was not an apparent feature. In view of the rapid onset of cervical cancer in some patients, even those not considered to be at high risk, annual screening is recommended for all age groups.