Incidence and mortality due to cervical cancer in 4 south European countries

To describe variation in incidence and mortality rates of cervical cancer (CC), between 4 Southern European countries that share similar cultural characteristics.

Data on CC incidence and mortality reported in Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece for the year 2012 were obtained through the International Agency of Research on Cancer. Expected numbers of incident cases and deaths were obtained based on age-specific rates in European region. Standardized incidence rate (SIR) and standardized mortality rate (SMR) and respective 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were computed for each country by age group (15-39, 40-54, 55-64, and ≥65 years old).

The number of incident cases of and deaths due to CC observed in Greece, Italy, and Spain were significantly lower than expected, whichever the age group. In Portugal such pattern was, however, only found for incident cases among women aged up to 54 years. The number of incident cases observed in Portugal did not differ from that expected among women aged 55 to 64 (SIR = 90.8; 95% CI: 76.8-106.7) and aged 65 or more years (SIR = 110.0; 95% CI: 95.9-125.0). Also, the number of deaths observed in Portugal did not differ from that expected among women aged 15 to 39 (SMR = 70.0; 95% CI: 43.3-100.8), 40 to 54 (SMR = 93.6; 95% CI: 74.9-115.4), and 55 to 64 years (SMR = 93.6; 95% CI: 73.4-117.7) but was significantly higher than that expected among women aged 65 or more years (SMR = 126.7; 95% CI: 110.1-144.4).

There is variability in CC incidence and mortality between 4 South European countries. To understand the reasons underlying such variability could improve approach to preventive care.