In Situ/invasive Cervical Cancer Ratios: Impact of Cancer Education and Screening

A study of cancer incidence rates in Newark, NJ showed an increase in invasive cervical cancer among black women between 1970 and 1976. The incidence was substantially higher than that found in the Third National Cancer Survey and the Surveillance Epidemiology End Results Program. The ratio of in situ/invasive cervical cancer incidence among black women was 1:1, far below the national ratio of about 3:1. It seemed that the high-risk population in Newark might not be having regular Papanicolaou smears. From 1976 through 1981, intensive educational and cervical cancer screening programs were carried out in the city of Newark. A review was made of cervical cancer cases (1976-1981) reported to the tumor registries or recorded on discharge diagnoses in hospitals where Newark residents are known to have sought care. The findings showed that the ratio of in situ to invasive cervical cancer had increased dramatically: the overwhelming majority of cancers were found to be in situ carcinomas. The improvement was far more impressive among black women than among white women. Since the intervention campaign had been directed primarily toward the black female population, a group at extremely high risk, this suggested that efficacy of the intervention program.