Cervical cancer in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia, 2016-2021

Stefan Ljubičić; Mirjana Štrbac; Nataša Nikolić; Sonja Šušnjević; Tihomir Dugandžija; Vladimir Petrović; Mioljub Ristić

doi:10.2298/AOO240422005L

Stefan Ljubičić Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina
Mirjana Štrbac Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1532-5548
Nataša Nikolić Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina; Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7973-1503
Sonja Šušnjević Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina; Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5305-6871
Tihomir Dugandžija Oncology Institute of Vojvodina; Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6279-0413
Vladimir Petrović Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina; Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2052-6232
Mioljub Ristić Institute of Public Health of Vojvodina; Faculty of Medicine, University of Novi Sad https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6923-189X

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2298/AOO240422005L

Keywords: Uterine Cervical Neoplasms, Epidemiology, Incidence, Mortality, Papillomavirus Vaccines, Serbia

Abstract

Background: Cervical cancer is a major global health problem, and one of the most common causes of cancer in women. This descriptive epidemiological study aimed to provide an overview of the cervical cancer incidence and mortality in Vojvodina. Methods: The data from the Serbian Cancer Registry regarding the cervical cancer incidence and mortality for the period 2016–2021 were analyzed. Results: During the observed 6-year period, the average age-standardized incidence rates of cervical cancer in Vojvodina and Serbia were 20.4 and 19.1 per 100,000 women, respectively. The average age-standardized incidence rates by the district of Vojvodina ranged from 16.8 to 30.2/100,000. The average age-standardized cervical cancer mortality rate in Vojvodina and Serbia was 7.0 and 6.6/100,000, respectively. The average mortality rates by the district of Vojvodina ranged between 5.6/100,000 and 9.9/100,000. Conclusion: The cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates in Vojvodina exhibited significant variation across different districts and observed years, with their average values surpassing the national average. To improve the epidemiological situation of cervical cancer in Vojvodina, it is imperative to enhance the implementation of organized screening at the district level, coupled with intensified efforts to promote HPV vaccination throughout Vojvodina. Additionally, more research on screening coverage and vaccination rates and improved reporting cervical cancer cases and deaths are needed.

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