Mortality from cervical carcinoma in Mexico: impact of screening, 1980-1990

To determine the temporal mortality trends of uterine cervical cancer in Mexico for the period 1980-1990.

In Mexico, data from death certificates are collected in a national repository at the National Institute of Statistics, Geography and Informatics. These data were analyzed to obtain mortality trends, and regional variations were obtained for the same period using a Poisson regression model.

The official mortality figure for cervical cancer for the study period was 37,982 cases. Subregistration due to misclassification was evident, particularly in the first five years of the study period; however, poor quality of information was proportionally distributed across the different age groups. A standardized analysis by quinquennia showed a steady mortality trend during the last 10 years, with slightly upward significant trends within some age groups (beta=0, P<.05). High regional variations in cervical cancer mortality risks were found using a Poisson regression model. Twenty-four states in Mexico showed an increased mortality risk when compared with Mexico City; seven states showed a steady or downward trend.

The results show the ineffectiveness of the cancer screening program, underscoring the need to ensure access to and the quality of the cervical cancer screening program in order to decrease mortality rates.