Cervical cancer mortality statistics

Cervical cancer is the 19th most common cause of cancer death in females in the UK, accounting for 1% of all cancer deaths in females (2016).[1-3]

Cervical cancer mortality rates (European age-standardised (AS) rates ) are significantly higher than the UK average in Scotland, and similar to the UK average in all other UK constituent countries.

Cervical Cancer (C53), Number of Deaths, Crude and European Age-Standardised (AS) Mortality Rates per 100,000 Population, Females, UK, 2016

95% LCL and 95% UCL are the 95% lower and upper confidence limits  around the AS rates

For cervical cancer mortality differences between countries largely reflect differences in incidence.

Cervical cancer mortality is related to age, with the highest mortality rates being in older women. In the UK in 2014-2016, on average each year almost a third (30%) of deaths were in females aged 75 and over.[1-3] This is a lower proportion of deaths in older age groups compared with most cancers.

Age-specific mortality rates rise steadily from around age 15-19 and more steeply from around age 65-69. The highest rates are in the 85 to 89 age group.

Cervical Cancer (C53), Average Number of Deaths per Year and Age-Specific Mortality Rates per 100,000 Female Population, UK, 2014-2016

95% LCL and 95% UCL are the 95% lower and upper confidence limits  around the AS Rate

Cervical cancer European age-standardised (AS) mortality rates for females decreased by 74% in the UK between 1971-1973 and 2014-2016.[1-3]

Over the last decade in the UK (between 2004-2006 and 2014-2016), cervical cancer AS mortality rates for females decreased by 24%.[1-3]

Cervical Cancer (C53), European Age-Standardised Mortality Rates per 100,000 Population, Females, UK, 1971-2016

For most cancer types, mortality trends largely reflect incidence and survival trends. For example, rising mortality may reflect rising incidence and stable survival, while falling mortality may reflect rising incidence and rising survival.

Cervical cancer mortality rates have decreased overall in some broad age groups in females in the UK since the early 1970s, but have remained stable in others.[1-3] Rates in 20-24s have remained stable, in 25-34s have remained stable, in 35-49s have decreased by 67%, in 50-64s have decreased by 83%, in 65-79s have decreased by 75% and in 80+s have decreased by 65%.

Cervical Cancer (C53), European Age-Standardised Mortality Rates per 100,000 Population, By Age, Females, UK, 1971-2016

Cervical cancer mortality rates are projected to fall by 7% in the UK between 2014 and 2035, to 3 deaths per 100,000 females by 2035.[1]

Cervical cancer (C53), Observed and Projected Age-Standardised Mortality Rates, by Sex, UK, 1979-2035

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It is projected that 1,030 deaths from cervical cancer will occur in the UK in 2035.

There is evidence for a strong association between cervical cancer mortality and deprivation in England.[1] European age-standardised  mortality rates are 148% higher for females living in the most deprived areas in England compared with the least deprived, as shown for cervical cancer deaths during 2007-2011.[1]

Cervical Cancer (C53), European Age-Standardised Mortality Rates by Deprivation Quintile, Females, England, 2007-2011

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The estimated deprivation gradient in cervical cancer mortality between females living in the most and least deprived areas in England has not changed in the period 2002-2011.[1] It is estimated that there would have been around 250 fewer cervical cancer deaths each year in England during 2007-2011 if all females experienced the same mortality rates as the least deprived.[1]

Cervical cancer is the 7th most common cause of cancer death in Europe for females, and the 15th most common cause of cancer death overall, with around 24,400 deaths from cervical cancer in 2012 (3% of female deaths and 1% of the total). In Europe (2012), the highest World age-standardised mortality rates for cervical cancer are in Romania; the lowest rates are in Iceland. UK cervical cancer mortality rates are estimated to be the 9th lowest in Europe.[1] These data are broadly in line with Europe-specific data available elsewhere.[2]

Cervical cancer is the 4th most common cause of cancer death worldwide for females, and the 9th most common cause of cancer death overall, with more than 265,000 deaths from cervical cancer in 2012 (7% of female deaths and 3% of the total). Cervical cancer mortality rates are highest in Eastern Africa and lowest in Australia/New Zealand. This partly reflects varying data quality worldwide.[1]