Cervical Cancer – A Serious Chronic Problem – Statistical Data from the Western Region of Romania

Abstract

Introduction: In Romania, every year, there are 4,343 new cases of cervical cancer and 1,909 deaths caused by this disease. The screening program for early detection of cervical cancer has been running since 2012, but unfortunately not with the same impact on the population. When it reveals characteristic changes in cervical cells, HPV testing is further indicated. Material and method: This retrospective study, in the period 2013-2022 includes the screening Babes Papanicolau smear in all women aged 25-64 years. Through the descriptive statistics of the collected data, we analyzed the dynamics of the phenomenon of occurrence and spread of cervical cancer depending on the environment of origin. We observed a higher incidence in urban areas than in rural areas, registering several new cases: 496 (57% urban), 375 (43% rural), in total 871 (100%) of cases, respectively cases remaining: 5,843 (55% urban), 4,858 (45% rural), in total 10,701 from an eligible population of ~ 400,000, of which only 30% tested Babes Papanicolau test. Results: Thus, in 2019, less than 30% of Romanian women said they had done a Babes Papanicolau test in the last three years, the proportion being half the European average. The participation rate – calculated based on statements – was 45% among women with high incomes, compared to 13%, women with low incomes and 51% for women with a high level of education, versus 11% for women of low level of training.  The study of the distribution of cervical cancer in the Northwest Region shows that over 30% of cases are diagnosed in advanced stages (III and IV). Conclusions: Unfortunately, Romania, due to the incidence of cervical cancer cases occupies the first place in Europe, both in incidence and mortality; the mortality rate is four times higher than the European Union average.