Cervical cancer mortality trend in Montenegro—1990–2018

Cervical cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women, resulting in an estimated 350 000 deaths worldwide in 2022. Public health preventive strategies can modify the burden of cervical cancer. This study aimed to assess the mortality trends of cervical cancer in Montenegro from 1990 to 2018 and identify the impact of preventive measures on mortality rates associated with cervical cancer. The data concerning cervical cancer mortality from 1990 to 2018 were collected. The joinpoint, linear, and Poisson regressions were applied. The rate was adjusted to the world standard population. Overall and age-specific trends were assessed. Joinpoint regression revealed a statistically significant increase in cervical cancer mortality rates by an average of 2.6% per year [average annual percentage change (AAPC) (95%CI) = 2.6 (1.3-3.8); P < .001] and the number of death cases by 3.5% [AAPC (95%CI) = 3.5 (2.2-4.7); P < .001] for the overall level for the period 1990-2018. Among the women who died from cervical cancer, the majority were aged 55-64 (28.3%), then aged 45-54 (27.6%) and aged 65-74 (17.4%). This analysis highlights a growing trend of mortality from cervical cancer in Montenegro, underscoring the need for additional research into the causes of this serious public health concern.