Cervical cancer screening and prevention in Kazakhstan and Central Asia

Objective To examine the state of cervical screening and prevention in Central Asian states, specifically Kazakhstan. Results In the five Central Asian countries that were formerly part of the Soviet Union (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan), cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates are far higher than those in most Western and high-income nations, and are increasing. Cervical cancer screening is available in all five countries, but is mainly opportunistic. Only Kazakhstan has a structured cytological screening program, from which screening coverage analysis is possible. Conclusion Despite significant decreases in cervical cancer incidence and mortality in developed countries, the problem is still of great concern in these Central Asian countries and is attributed to poorly organized screening and the absence of vaccination programs.

Automated summary

Cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates are higher in Central Asian countries, particularly in Kazakhstan, due to poorly organized screening and the absence of vaccination programs, despite significant decreases in developed countries.