Invasive Cervical Cancer Incidence Disparities in New Jersey--a Spatial Analysis in a High Incidence State

Although invasive cervical cancer incidence has declined, disparities persist. We identified spatial clusters of census tracts with elevated invasive cervical cancer incidence rates using New Jersey State Cancer Registry cases 20 years or older diagnosed in 2005-2009. Each cluster's population was compared with the rest of New Jersey's population on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Odds ratios that assessed associations between statistically significant characteristics (from a univariate comparison of cases in the clusters versus cases in the rest of New Jersey) and being a case in a cluster versus being a case in the rest of New Jersey were calculated from logistic regression models. Significant incidence clusters were identified around Newark, Trenton, and Camden. Being Black (all areas), Hispanic (Newark, Camden), unmarried (Newark), and uninsured/Medicaid-insured (Trenton) were significantly associated with being a case in these areas. These study results can be used to target invasive cervical cancer prevention efforts more effectively.