News | Unsafe sex and smoking continue to increase the cervical cancer burden
Although the global age-standardized cervical cancer mortality rate continues to fall, population growth and deep socioeconomic disparities are offsetting progress in prevention, leaving cervical cancer a deadly threat to women in many regions. The study was published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.
The study analyzed global cervical cancer deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and age-specific patterns from 1990 to 2019 and projected deaths attributable to unsafe sex and smoking through 2034. It used 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data and quantile regression, restricted cubic splines, and Nordpred models across sociodemographic index (SDI) levels.
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide and remains a leading cancer killer where vaccination and screening are limited. Persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the underlying cause, while smoking is an important modifiable cofactor.
In 2020, an estimated 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths accounted for 6.5% of new cancers and 7.7% of cancer deaths in women. Rates were highest across much of Africa and lowest in Western Europe, North Africa, North America, Western Asia, and Australia. About 90% of cases occur in low- and middle-income countries, where mortality is 18 times that of high-income countries.
From 1990 to 2019, the global age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) fell about 0.93% annually, yet total deaths rose 52%, from 184,500 to 280,500, and DALYs rose 45%. Population growth and aging prevented falling rates from reducing absolute deaths.
Unsafe sex contributed far more than smoking. In 2019, cervical cancer mortality attributable to unsafe sex in low-SDI regions was 15.05 per 100,000, versus 0.95 for smoking. Smoking-related mortality nearly halved in high-SDI countries but remained high in low- and middle-SDI regions.
Cases peaked globally at ages 50–54, earlier in developed countries and at ages 55–69 in developing countries. Unsafe-sex-related mortality was highest and still rising above age 95 in low-SDI regions, highlighting gaps in treatment and palliative care.
By 2034, global age-standardized mortality attributable to unsafe sex and smoking is projected to keep falling, but trends may reverse in India, China, and Russia. Projections did not account for future HPV vaccination, expanded screening, or changes in HIV prevalence.
Researchers stressed that falling overall mortality rates alone cannot eliminate the burden. Key measures include broader HPV vaccination, stronger screening and early diagnosis, smoking cessation for women, and improved socioeconomic conditions.
News | Unsafe sex and smoking continue to increase the cervical cancer burden
News | Unsafe sex and smoking continue to increase the cervical cancer burden
Although the global age-standardized cervical cancer mortality rate continues to fall, population growth and deep socioeconomic disparities are offsetting progress in prevention, leaving cervical cancer a deadly threat to women in many regions. The study was published in the open-access journal PLOS ONE.
The study analyzed global cervical cancer deaths, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and age-specific patterns from 1990 to 2019 and projected deaths attributable to unsafe sex and smoking through 2034. It used 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data and quantile regression, restricted cubic splines, and Nordpred models across sociodemographic index (SDI) levels.
Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide and remains a leading cancer killer where vaccination and screening are limited. Persistent high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the underlying cause, while smoking is an important modifiable cofactor.
In 2020, an estimated 604,000 new cases and 342,000 deaths accounted for 6.5% of new cancers and 7.7% of cancer deaths in women. Rates were highest across much of Africa and lowest in Western Europe, North Africa, North America, Western Asia, and Australia. About 90% of cases occur in low- and middle-income countries, where mortality is 18 times that of high-income countries.
From 1990 to 2019, the global age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) fell about 0.93% annually, yet total deaths rose 52%, from 184,500 to 280,500, and DALYs rose 45%. Population growth and aging prevented falling rates from reducing absolute deaths.
Unsafe sex contributed far more than smoking. In 2019, cervical cancer mortality attributable to unsafe sex in low-SDI regions was 15.05 per 100,000, versus 0.95 for smoking. Smoking-related mortality nearly halved in high-SDI countries but remained high in low- and middle-SDI regions.
Cases peaked globally at ages 50–54, earlier in developed countries and at ages 55–69 in developing countries. Unsafe-sex-related mortality was highest and still rising above age 95 in low-SDI regions, highlighting gaps in treatment and palliative care.
By 2034, global age-standardized mortality attributable to unsafe sex and smoking is projected to keep falling, but trends may reverse in India, China, and Russia. Projections did not account for future HPV vaccination, expanded screening, or changes in HIV prevalence.
Researchers stressed that falling overall mortality rates alone cannot eliminate the burden. Key measures include broader HPV vaccination, stronger screening and early diagnosis, smoking cessation for women, and improved socioeconomic conditions.
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Collected online