Cervical cancer in Australia and the United Kingdom: comparison of screening policy and uptake, and cancer incidence and mortality.
OBJECTIVE
To compare cervical screening policy, screening uptake, and changes in cervical cancer incidence and mortality between Australia and the United Kingdom.


METHODS
Analysis of screening registry data and national cancer statistics.


METHODS
In Australia, organised cervical screening was initiated in 1991 for sexually active women aged 18-69 years, with a recommended 2-yearly interval. In the UK, organised screening began in 1988 for women aged 20-64 years, with a recommended 3-yearly interval in most regions.


RESULTS
Estimated lifetime screening participation rates in 2001 were similar in the two countries, at 88% in Australia and 90% in the UK. For women who were screened and had a negative result, the median time to the next screen was 27 months in Australia and 38 months in the UK. At 39 months, equivalent proportions (74%) had been re-screened in the two countries, and by 60 months the re-screened proportions were 81% in Australia and 94% in the UK. From 1991-1993 to 1998-2000, the incidence of cervical cancer in women aged 20-69 years fell by 33% in Australia and 33% in the UK, and mortality from cervical cancer fell by 36% in both countries.


CONCLUSIONS
After the introduction of organised screening, similar reductions in cervical cancer incidence and mortality were achieved in Australia and the UK. Therefore, the 2-yearly screening policy in Australia and the predominantly 3-yearly screening policy in the UK appear to have been of broadly similar effectiveness.
Canfell
Karen
K
Cancer Epidemiology Research Unit, The Cancer Council New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia. karenc@nswcc.org.au
Sitas
Freddy
F
Beral
Valerie
V
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D012042:Registries; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology; D002583:Uterine Cervical Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*