Changing Trends in Vulvar Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates in Australia Since 1982.

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Vulvar cancer incidence and mortality trends require ongoing assessment to inform public health strategies.
• Understanding demographic shifts in cancer rates is crucial for targeted prevention and treatment efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends in the incidence and mortality of invasive vulvar carcinoma in Australia.
• To identify age-specific changes in vulvar cancer rates over time.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Australian National Cancer Statistics data for invasive vulvar carcinoma (1982-2009) and deaths (1982-2011).
• Employed standardized rate ratios (SRRs) to evaluate age-standardized incidence and mortality rates.
• Stratified analyses were performed for women younger than 60 years and those 60 years and older.

Main Results:

• Overall age-standardized vulvar cancer incidence remained stable, but increased by 84% in women under 60 years.
• Incidence rates showed no significant change in women aged 60 and over.
• Age-standardized mortality decreased by 22% overall, driven by a 24% decline in women 60+ years, while rates remained stable in younger women.

Conclusions:

• Vulvar cancer incidence has risen substantially in younger Australian women (<60 years) since the early 1980s.
• These incidence trends align with potential increased human papillomavirus (HPV) exposure in post-1950 birth cohorts.
• Mortality rates have declined in older women, but remained stable in younger women, suggesting effective management in older populations despite rising incidence in younger ones.