Background

There is limited information on cervical cancer incidence among different ethnic groups. This study used a name classification system to describe recent patterns of cervical cancer by ethnic group in Scotland.

Methods

Data on incident cases of cancer of the cervix and carcinoma in situ diagnosed in Scotland from 2008 to 2017 were extracted from the Scottish Cancer Registry. Onomap was applied to ascribe ethnicity to each patient. Ethnic groups were categorised as White, Black, South-Asian, Chinese and Other. Age-standardised rates (ASRs) were calculated for each year, as well as cumulatively for the 10-year time period.

Results

The Cumulative Age-standardised rate (CASR) of invasive cancer was 2.45 times higher in the White ethnic group (CASR 125.45 (95% CI 121.2–129.8) per 1,00,000) compared to the non-white ethnic groups combined (CASR 51.16 (95% CI 31.05–77.36) per 1,00,000). The highest age-specific rates within the White patients were in the 30–34 age group (18.34 per 1,00,000), whereas the highest age specific rates for the non-white patients were in the 60–64 age group (9.59 per 1,00,000).

Conclusion

Ethnic minority populations in Scotland had lower incidence of cervical cancer compared to the White population between 2008 and 2017.