Recent trends of cervical cancer and Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia 3 (CIN3) in Israel

Purpose: This study describes time trends of cervical cancer and Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia 3 (CIN3) in Israel in the years 1986–2010 and characterizes these patients by demographics. Methods: A retrospective survey based on cervical cancer and CIN3 data documented in the computerized system of the second largest Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO) in Israel, “Maccabi Healthcare Services” (MHS) between 1986 and 2010. Results: 737 cervical cancer patients and 3,459 patients of CIN3 were reported between 1986 and 2010. The mean age of women with cervical cancer was significantly higher (mean 49.1 years) than that of CIN3 patients (mean 36.3 years) (p-value < 0.0001). The annual age-adjusted incidence rate of cervical cancer increased significantly from 1.6 per 100,000 in 1986 to 3.7 per 100,000 in 2010 (p for trend = 0.0001) and for CIN3, from 3.9 per 100,000 in 1986 to 40.4 per 100,000 in 2010 (p for trend = 0.0001). For cervical cancer, using the Joinpoint software we demonstrated an increase in the age-adjusted incidence rate between 1986 and 2003 and since then, a decrease was observed. Cervical cancer and CIN3 were mostly common in the Tel Aviv District. Conclusions: Although quite low to begin with, the incidence rates of cervical cancer and CIN3 in Israel may be further lowered by implementing an organized screening program and introduction of the HPV vaccine into the national immunization program.