MORTALITY FROM CERVICAL-CARCINOMA IN MEXICO - IMPACT OF SCREENING, 1980-1990

OBJECTIVE: To determine the temporal mortality trends of uterine cervi cal cancer in Mexico for the period 1980-1990. STUDY DESIGN: In Mexico , data from death certificates are collected in a natural repository a t the National Institute of Statistics, Geography and Informatics. The se data were analyzed to obtain mortality trends, and regional variati ons were obtained for the same period using a Poisson regression model . RESULTS: The official mortality figure for cervical cancer for the s tudy period was 37,982 cases. Subregistration due to misclassification was evident, particularly in the first five years of the study period ; however, poor quality of information was proportionally distributed quality of information was proportionally distributed across the diffe rent age groups. A standardized analysis by quinquennia showed a stead y mortality trend during the last 10 years, with slightly upward signi ficant trends within some age groups (beta=0, P<.05). High regional va riations in cervical cancer mortality risks were found using a Poisson regression model. Twenty-four states in Mexico showed an increased mo rtality risk when compared with Mexico City; seven states showed a ste ady or downward trend. CONCLUSION: The results show the ineffectivenes s of the cancer screening program, underscoring the need to ensure acc ess to and the quality of the cervical cancer screening program in ord er to decrease mortality rates.