Incidence and morbidity of cancer of the cervix in Geneva, Switzerland.

The incidence and mortality rates of invasive carcinoma of the cervix in the state of Geneva, Switzerland, is reported for the time periods 1970-1973 and 1980-1983. A reduction in mortality (7 to 4.3/100,000) occurred as well as a considerable decrease in the overall incidence (20.3 to 11.4/100,000). This decrease is particularly marked in the age group of 35-64 years. It is less marked between the ages of 60 and 69 and did not appears before 35 years or after 70 years of age. In the time period 1980-1983, more than one half of the cases were found after age 60 years, two thirds of them in stage 2 or worse. It is therefore essential that screening programs recruit a high enough proportion of older women.