Is the cervical cancer screening program in Algeria effective using the Pap smear test?

 Cervical cancer is a major public health issue in Algeria, where a national screening program based on the Pap smear was launched in 2001. However, its effectiveness has never been rigorously evaluated. This study aimed to assess the impact of the screening program on cervical cancer incidence in the province of Oran between 1996 and 2020.

 Data were extracted from the Oran Cancer Registry and included all cervical cancer cases diagnosed between 1996 and 2020. Age-standardized incidence rates based on the world standard population were calculated, and an age-period-cohort modeling approach was applied to examine trends according to age, diagnostic period, and birth cohort.

 Over the study period, 1,872 cases of cervical cancer were recorded. The age-standardized incidence rate decreased from 25.8 to 8.8 per 100,000 women between 1996 and 2020. However, a significant rebound in relative risk was observed beginning in 2011, with a peak during the 2016–2020 period. Cohort analysis showed a lower risk among more recent generations, while the highest incidence was observed among women aged 50–59.

 Although the overall incidence of cervical cancer declined over the study period, the recent resurgence calls into question the effectiveness of the screening program. An integrated strategy—including human papillomavirus vaccination, organized screening, and health education—is essential to achieve World Health Organization targets.