A population-based study of selected demographic characteristics of Israeli-Jewish women with cervical squamous cell carcinoma

Purpose: The age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) of invasive cervical cancer in Israeli-Jewish women is persistently low compared to many other countries. The aim of the present study was to assess selected demographic characteristics of Israeli-Jewish women with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in an attempt to identify current selected risk factors. Method: Included were all histologically confirmed SCC patients diagnosed during 2002-2004 according to the Israel National Cancer Registry. Demographic and population data were obtained from the Central Population Registry and from the Israel Central Bureau of Statistics annual abstract reports. The ASR and incidence rate for each demographic category were computed. Results: During the study period, 350 SCC patients (mean age 50.3 years) were diagnosed (ASR of 3.8/100,000). High SCC incidence rates of single women 40+, of married women 30+ years old and of divorced and widowed women in the 40-49 age group were found. The mean number of children was 2.1 (range 0-9). Compared to the population the rate of childless patients in the 50+ age group, that of patients with 1-2 children in the 40-49 age group and that of North-African-born patients was significantly higher. No excess rate was found for multiparity and low socioeconomic status. Conclusion: High incidence rates of SCC were observed for some age groups of single and married women, for women without children or 1-2 children and for North-Africa-born women. Great differences between age groups within each demographic category were observed.