Cervical Cancer in Brazil and Australia: An Epidemiological Comparison of Incidence, Mortality and Regional Disparities
Fernando Augusto Siuta dos Santos, Pedro Dytz Marin, Giulia Scain, Isabela Alicia Fink, Julia Loureiro Chaves Cé, Stéphanie Klein Brum, Mariana Weremeier Weber, Martina de Sá, Rafaela Sumienski Girardi, Solana de MeloPURPOSE
Cervical cancer remains among the leading causes of female mortality despite effective preventive strategies. This study aimed to compare cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates between Australia, a global benchmark in disease control, and Brazil, a country characterized by profound regional and socioeconomic inequalities.
METHODS
A descriptive and retrospective epidemiological study was conducted through the analysis of public data from the Brazilian National Cancer Institute (INCA) and Cancer Australia. Age-standardized incidence and mortality rates per 100,000 women were analyzed.
RESULTS
In 2021, Australia recorded an age-standardized incidence rate of 7.3 and a mortality rate of 1.6 per 100,000 women. In contrast, Brazil presented an incidence rate of 15.38 and a mortality rate of 4.8 in 2022, remaining far from the WHO elimination targets. The Brazilian incidence was more than twice that observed in Australia, reinforcing the disparity between the two countries. Marked regional differences were also observed within Brazil. The Southeast region, characterized by greater industrialization and broader healthcare access, approached Australian indicators, with incidence and mortality rates of 8.4 and 3.38, respectively. In contrast, the North region presented the country’s most critical scenario, with incidence and mortality rates of 25.24 and 9.52, respectively, reflecting important healthcare access barriers. Regarding immunization, both countries have experienced recent declines in HPV vaccination coverage. Australia decreased from 85.7% in 2020 to 79.5% in 2024, with persistent disparities among Indigenous communities. In Brazil, coverage reached 75.8% in 2022, highlighting ongoing challenges in sustaining vaccination targets.
CONCLUSION
Cervical cancer remains a major public health challenge, particularly in developing countries. The Australian scenario suggests that earlier implementation of HPV vaccination, initiated seven years earlier than the Brazilian program, and organized screening strategies may contribute to reducing disease burden. However, persistent regional disparities in both countries reinforce the need for more equitable prevention and screening policies to support the global elimination of cervical cancer.