Rising Mortality Rate of Cervical Cancer in Younger Women in Urban China

Background In recent decades, much effort has been made in China to reduce the burden of cervical cancer. Objective Our study’s purpose was to examine trends of cervical cancer mortality in each 5-year age group for urban and rural Chinese women, respectively. Designs Retrospective analysis of cervical cancer mortality from 1987 to 2015 from the World Health Organization Cancer Mortality Database and China Health Statistical Yearbooks. Participants Chinese women. Main Measures Trends were examined using annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC) via Joinpoint regression models for each 5-year age group in urban and rural areas, respectively. Results In urban China, mortality rate of cervical cancer increased significantly among urban women aged 25–54 years (AAPC 2.12~5.49%), in contrast to a decline trend among urban women older than 60 years (AAPC − 3.61~− 5.35%). In rural China, cervical cancer rates declined in all age groups, but the magnitude was smaller in women aged 30–54 years (AAPC − 0.59~− 2.20%) compared to women older than 55 years (AAPC − 3.06~− 4.33%). Conclusion Mortality rate of cervical cancer is rising at an alarming rate in younger women in urban China. Timely intervention is required for these vulnerable populations.