Cervical Cancer in the State of Ma.to Grosso do Sul: Early Detection, Incidence and Mortality

Abstract

Introduction: Cervical cancer presents high incidence and mortality rates in Brazil. Objective: To describe the coverage of cervical cancer early detection actions, incidence and mortality in the State of Mato Grosso do Sul. Method: A descriptive and exploratory study. We analyzed data from the informatics department of the Brazilian health care system, Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, National Cancer Institute Jose Alencar Gomes da Silva. A descriptive analysis of the information was done. Results: The percentage of women between 25 and 59 years of age who performed the Pap smear in the last three years has remained constant between 2003 and 2008: 82.0% and 82.9% respectively, however there was a drop in the number of those who had never done the exam in life: from 11.1% to 8.7%, respectively. The ratio between the number of Pap smears performed in women between 25 and 59 years old and the female population in this age group exceeded the goal (≥ 0.90) in 25 municipalities in the years 2008 to 2010. However, the estimated rates of incidence of cervical cancer had an increase of 139% over the past 12 years, while the mortality rates increased 33.8% in 30 years. Conclusion: These results point to the need to strengthen partnerships to implement actions to offer a comprehensive health care to women, especially focused on indigenous women, who represent a significant number of excluded women in these areas.