Recent trends in uterine cervix cancer in Slovakia, 1968-1987

The temporal trends in the incidence and mortality of uterine cervix cancer in Slovakia were evaluated. Only highly reliable and complete data from 1968-1987 derived from the National Cancer Registry of Slovakia were used. Incidence rates have fallen in the first part of the period studied, but this trend has reversed and the incidence rates of this cancer site have risen since about 1976. The mortality rates showed continuous and unchanged increase over the whole mentioned period. The analysis of the age specific incidence rates indicated the responsibility of the youngest age groups of women for the overall recent increase of the uterine cervix cancer incidence in this country, while the age specific mortality rates increased in nearly all age groups. The relatively high incidence and mortality rates of uterine cervix cancer in Slovakia in comparison with the same rates in other countries as well as the recent increase of both indicators, together with low proportion of the in situ forms could be attributed mainly to the deficiencies in the organization and performance of the cervical screening.