Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer and the leading cause of cancer death in women in sub Saharan Africa (SSA).
METHODS: Trends in the incidence of cervical cancer are examined for a period of 10–25 years in 10 population-based cancer
registries across eight SSA countries (Gambia, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Seychelles, South Africa, Uganda and Zimbabwe). A total of
21,990 cases of cervical cancer were included in the analyses.
RESULTS: Incidence rates had increased in all registries for some or all of the periods studied, except for Mauritius with a constant
annual 2.5% decline. Eastern Cape and Blantyre (Malawi) registries showed significant increases over time, with the most rapid
being in Blantyre (7.9% annually). In Kampala (Uganda), a significant increase was noted (2.2%) until 2006, followed by a non significant decline. In Eldoret, a decrease (1998–2002) was followed by a significant increase (9.5%) from 2002 to 2016.
CONCLUSION: Overall, cervical cancer incidence has been increasing in SSA. The current high-level advocacy to reduce the burden
of cervical cancer in SSA needs to be translated into support for prevention (vaccination against human papillomavirus and
population-wide screening), with careful monitoring of results through population-based registries