Descriptive epidemiology of cancer of the uterine cervix

Substantial decreases in both incidence of and mortality from cancer of the uterine cervix have occurred during the past 30 years. Decreases are apparent among both whites and nonwhites, although rates among black women remain considerably higher than those among white women. In spite of geographic differences in rates, decreases have been observed in all areas of the United States for which data are available. The decline in mortality and in invasive cancer incidence has been occurring within virtually all age groups. Diagnosed infrequently in the past, carcinoma in situ now has an incidence rate two to three times higher than that of invasive cancer and also has a much younger age distribution. Carcinoma of the cervix occurs much more frequently among women of lower income and education level; this accounts for much of the observed racial difference in incidence.