Cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is the seventh most common cancer in both sexes combined and the third most common cancer in women. An estimated 530,000 women across the world were diagnosed with cervical cancer in 2008, accounting for nearly one in ten (9%) of all cancers diagnosed in women (4% of the total in men and women).1 The developing countries carry the biggest burden of cervical cancer, with more than eight out of ten (86%) cases being diagnosed there in 2008.

Much of the variation in incidence can be attributed to geographical differences in population prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV - a precursor to cervical cancer development), and other co-factors that modify risk in HPV-infected women (such as oral contraceptive use and smoking).2-5 Screening programmes have substantially reduced incidence and mortality rates in Western countries, but most women in poorer countries do not have access to effective screening programmes.2,6 HPV vaccination offers a promising option for lowering disease burden in the developing world - though the cost of the vaccines is a major barrier for many developing countries, and there are several other challenges in the widespread implementation (such as delivering the vaccine and educating governments, health professionals and the public).2

There is a seven-fold variation in the incidence of cervical cancer between the different regions of the world, with rates ranging from 5 per 100,000 in Western Asia to 35 per 100,000 in Eastern Africa in 2008 (Figure 8.1).1 The countries with the highest incidence rates in 2008 were Guinea and Zambia (56 and 53 per 100,000, respectively). The UK was 145th highest out of 184 countries worldwide.1

Figure 8.1: Cervical Cancer (C53), World Age-Standardised Incidence and Mortality Rates, Regions of the World, 2008 Estimates

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section updated 19/09/11

There were an estimated 275,000 deaths from cervical cancer worldwide in 2008, accounting for 8% of all female cancer deaths (4% of the total in men and women).1 Almost nine out of ten (88%) cervical cancer deaths occurred in the developing countries. Mortality varies fifteen-fold between the different regions of the world, with rates ranging from 2 per 100,000 in Northern America and Western Europe to 25 per 100,000 in Eastern Africa in 2008 (Figure 8.1).1

The UK mortality rate is low and was joint 157th highest out of 184 countries worldwide.1 The high mortality rates in the less developed regions of the world can be attributed to women presenting at a late stage of diagnosis, as well as inadequacies in the availability, accessibility and affordability of treatment.2 It has been estimated that cervical cancer contributes over 2.7 million years of life lost among women dying between the ages of 25 and 64 years worldwide, some 2.4 million of which occur in the developing countries and only 0.3 million in the developed countries.7

section updated 19/09/11