Low incidence of cervical cancer in Utah

Abstract

Utah has the highest birth rate in the nation, but cervical cancer incidence is 26% below the national average. This lower occurrence of cancer is accounted for by the Mormon population, which has incidence rates about 50% below those of the nation and of Utah non-Mormons. Reported venereal disease and illegitimacy rates are very low in Utah, which may explain low cervical cancer incidence. Invasive cervical cancer is higher in the rural than urban areas of Utah, in contrast to findings of other studies. Higher in situ incidence in the urban areas suggests more active cytologic screening, which may account for lower invasive rates. A socioeconomic gradient (though not as steep as found in other studies) is also demonstrated in the urban cervical cancer incidence data. These findings are consistent with the concept of cervical cancer as a venereal disease, and emphasize multiple sexual partners and premarital sexual activity in its etiology.