A review of cervical cancer occurrences in New Zealand 2008-2012.

BACKGROUND

A review of the screening histories of women/wahine diagnosed with cervical cancer was undertaken to assess where the screening pathway can be improved.

METHODS

Women diagnosed with confirmed or possible cervical cancer during 1 January 2008-31 December 2012 were identified from the National Cancer Registry (NCR) records. Screening histories for these women were obtained from the National Cervical Screening Programme (NCSP) Register along with pathology and cytology reports and staging information. Women aged 25-69 years with confirmed cervical cancer underwent a review of their screening history. Cervical cancer incidence rates were calculated using Statistics New Zealand mid-year population estimates.

RESULTS

Seven hundred and seventy-two confirmed diagnoses of cervical cancer were made during 2008-2012 for an incidence rate of 6.9 per 100,000 women per year. Only 13% of 644 women aged 25-69 years had regular cervical cancer screening according to New Zealand guidelines and this proportion was lower among Māori and Pacific people and those living in deprived areas. However, 37% of women had had a screen in the preceding three-year screening interval, excluding screens undertaken within six months of histological diagnosis. In addition, a significant number developed cancer following an abnormal screen.

CONCLUSION

Ongoing efforts are required to improve uptake of regular cervical screening particularly for Māori and socio-economically disadvantaged women/wahine. Further investigation of incident cervical cancers using population-linked data, slide reviews of screens reported as negative and more clinical information is needed to facilitate clinical pathway review to determine the contributing factors that lead to the development of cervical cancer following normal and abnormal screening tests.