# Population-based epidemiological study of cervical cancer in Khuzestan province, Iran (2014–2019)

## TL;DR

This study analyzed cervical cancer trends in Khuzestan province, Iran from 2014 to 2019, finding an increasing incidence and lower survival rates compared to other regions.

## Contribution

The study provides the first population-based epidemiological analysis of cervical cancer in Khuzestan province over a six-year period.

## Key findings

- The incidence of cervical cancer increased from 0.74 to 2.83 per 100,000 women between 2014 and 2018.
- The five-year survival rate was 65.7%, lower than other Iranian provinces.
- Inequities in screening access and limited HPV vaccination availability were identified as key challenges.

## Abstract

Cervical cancer is the third most common cancer and the fourth leading cause of deaths among women worldwide and presents a significant public health challenge, with regional variations in its impact. Understanding the epidemiology of cancer is crucial for policymakers to develop effective prevention strategies. The study provides a comprehensive analysis of the epidemiology of cervical cancer in Khuzestan province, Iran from 2014 to 2019, using data from cancer registries.

This retrospective study reviewed all registered cervical cancer patients in the Khuzestan province over a six-year period 2014–2019. descriptive statistics, Kaplan–Meier survival analysis, and Cox regression was used to assess the impact of demographic characteristics on patient survival, in addition, Age-standardized incidence rates were reported annually. Time series analysis was performed using Minitab to examine temporal disease trends, with the best-fitting model.

A total of 459 cervical cancer cases were analyzed, with a mean age of 54 (SD = 13.02) years. Among these, 91.1% were diagnosed by pathological reports, 5.2% clinically, and 2.6% through death certificates. The highest incidence rate was 2.83 per 100,000 women in 2018, and the lowest was 0.74 in 2014. The five-year survival rate for the studied cases was 65.7%.

The incidence of cervical cancer in Khuzestan province increased during 2014–2019, although it declined compared with earlier years. Despite improvements, the five-year survival rate remains lower than other provinces. Persistent challenges include inequities in access to screening and limited availability of HPV vaccination at effective ages. Expanding screening programs, promoting early detection, and improving access to vaccination should be prioritized to reduce the disease burden.