Hospitalizations for Cervical Cancer in Brazil Between 2015 and 2025: Temporal Trends by Age Group and Race
Renan Garcia Artus, Leonardo Storch, Pedro Melo, Pedro Henrique Ribeiro Teixeira, Rafael Amengual Duarte, Lucas Guimarães, Henrique Da Rocha FronchetiPURPOSE
To describe temporal trends and the sociodemographic profile of hospitalizations for cervical cancer in Brazil, according to age group and race, between 2015 and 2025.
METHODS
A descriptive, nationwide, hospital-based study was conducted using secondary data from the Brazilian Unified Health System. Hospital admissions for malignant neoplasms of the cervix, other and unspecified parts of the uterus, and carcinoma in situ of the cervix were extracted for 2015–2025. Variables included year of processing, age group, and race or skin color. Absolute counts and proportions were calculated for the entire period and for each year. Temporal patterns in total hospitalizations were examined, and distributions across age groups and racial categories were described.
RESULTS
From 2015 to 2025, there were 454,643 hospitalizations related to cervical cancer in Brazil. Annual admissions increased from 36,517 in 2015 to 51,682 in 2025, an absolute rise of 15,165 hospitalizations and an approximate 41.5% increase over the study period. The hospital burden was concentrated among mid-adult and older women (30–69 years), whereas hospitalizations below 20 years of age were rare. Regarding race, most hospitalizations involved women self-reported as Brown and White, followed by a smaller proportion of Black women; Yellow and Indigenous women accounted for very few admissions. A substantial number of records lacked race information, limiting the precise assessment of racial inequities.
CONCLUSION
Hospitalizations for cervical cancer remained high and increased by more than 40% between 2015 and 2025 in Brazil, suggesting that, despite expanded HPV vaccination and screening policies, the demand for inpatient care has not decreased. The concentration of admissions in midlife underscores missed opportunities for prevention and early detection before progression to advanced disease. The predominance of cases among Brown and White women raises concerns about hidden disparities. Strengthening vaccination coverage, improving screening and follow-up, and enhancing data completeness are essential to reduce hospitalizations and advance toward cervical cancer elimination.