Global trends and age-specific incidence and mortality of cervical cancer from 1990 to 2019: an international comparative study based on the Global Burden of Disease

Objective To describe the trends of incidence and mortality of cervical cancer in different age groups and regions from 1990 to 2019. Design An international comparative study based on the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study estimates. Participants Data were publicly available and individuals were not involved. Methods We collected detailed information on cervical cancer from the GBD study between 1990 and 2019. Average annual percentage changes (AAPCs) of age-standardised incidence and mortality rate (ASIR and ASMR) in cervical cancer, by age group and region, were calculated to quantify the temporal trends. Results Globally, the absolute numbers of incident cases and deaths were increasing, with the most cervical cancer cases and deaths being reported in China, India and Brazil. Although the ASIR and ASMR have declined overall from 1990 to 2019, an increasing or stable trend was also observed in East Asia and Southern sub-Saharan Africa. Particularly, we found that the age-specific AAPC of incidence showed an increasing trend in the age group of 15-49 years globally, and the high Sociodemographic Index region increased the most. Conclusions Cervical cancer remains a concerning disease that affects women all over the world, although the ASIR and ASMR are decreasing. Efforts to control the younger trend and to reduce the disparity between regions are imminent.

Automated summary

This study describes the trends of cervical cancer incidence and mortality in different age groups and regions from 1990 to 2019. Globally, the number of cases and deaths from cervical cancer were increasing, with China, India, and Brazil reporting the highest numbers. While the overall age-standardised incidence and mortality rates have declined, an increasing or stable trend was observed in East Asia and Southern sub-Saharan Africa.