Ukrainian Journal Health of Woman. 2025. 6(181): 18-25. doi: 10.15574/HW.2025.6(186).1825
Chornenka Zh. A., Biduchak A. S., Yakovets K. I., Dikal M. V., Yasinska E. Ts.
Bukovinian State Medical University, Chernivtsi, Ukraine

For citation: Chornenka ZhA, Biduchak AS, Yakovets KI, Dikal MV, Yasinska ETs. (2025). Cervical cancer in a global context: a comparative assessment of the burden of disease and survival in countries with different income levels (2014-2024). Ukrainian Journal Health of Woman. 6(181): 18-25. doi: 10.15574/HW.2025.6(186).1825
Article received: Sep 09, 2025. Accepted for publication: Nov 20, 2025.

Cervical cancer remains a major public health issue with significant disparities across countries of different income levels. In Ukraine, high morbidity and mortality persist, largely due to late diagnosis. Globally, over 85% of deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries, whereas high-income countries demonstrate declining rates due to effective vaccination against human papillomavirus (HPV) and screening programs.
Aim – to analyse the dynamics of morbidity, mortality, and 5-year survival of cervical cancer across countries with different income levels during 2014–2024 and assess prospects for elimination.
Materials and methods. A retrospective analysis of age-standardized rates (ASR) of incidence, mortality, and 5-year survival for cervical cancer (International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10): C53) was conducted in 31 countries. Data were obtained from Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), World Health Organization (WHO), and national cancer registries. Countries were classified according to World Bank criteria. Absolute changes (Δ), intergroup comparisons, and trend analyses were performed.
Results. A clear association between socio-economic level and cervical cancer burden was identified. High-income countries showed a steady decline in incidence and mortality with high 5-year survival (70–80%), particularly in the United Kingdom, France, and Japan. Upper-middle-income countries demonstrated heterogeneous trends, with improvements in Central and Eastern Europe but increases in some Asian countries. Lower-middle-income countries showed predominantly negative trends, with rising incidence and mortality and minimal survival gains, with the highest burden in Sudan and Ghana. Low-income countries had the most unfavourable outcomes, with the highest incidence and mortality and low survival (33–43%), especially in Malawi and Uganda.
Conclusion. Cervical cancer burden is strongly associated with national income level. While elimination is achievable in high-income countries, low-income settings require intensified global support and accelerated implementation of the WHO “90-70-90” strategy.
No conflict of interests was declared by the authors.
Keywords: cervical cancer, age-standardized rates (ASR), mortality, survival, income level, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination, elimination.

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