engleski

Cervical cancer in Croatia - A call for prevention.

Introduction: Cervical cancer is the eight most common female cancer site in Croatia. In 2000, there were 438 patients diagnosed with invasive cancer of the uterine cervix (rate 19/100 000), 604 with carcinoma in situ of the uterine cervix, and 91 cervical cancer deaths (rate 4/100 000). Opportunistic screening by Papanicolaou test has been taking place in Croatia since the mid-1950s, and in 2000 there were more than 340, 000 Pap-smears performed. However, cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates in Croatia are above the average of European Union and Southern Europe. Aim: to describe the incidence and the mortality trends of cervical cancer in Croatia. Material and methods: Croatian National Cancer Registry data were used for the analysis. Age-standardised and age-specific cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates in Croatia between 1970 and 2000 were analysed. Results: Between 1970 and 1991, there was a decreasing cervical cancer incidence trend in Croatia. However, after 1991, stabilising of trend and an increase in incidence has been observed, mostly due to increase of incidence in younger women (20-34 years). Even though cervical cancer mortality is decreasing, this trend is not so prominent as in the countries with organised cervical cancer screening programmes. Conclusion: In spite of large number of Papanicolaou test in Croatia, cervical cancer incidence is at a level above the average of European Union and it is increasing. To reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality in Croatia, and organised national-based cervical cancer screening programme is needed.

cervical cancer; screening

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