A Review of Human Papillomavirus Prevalence and Cervical Cancer in Myanmar

Abstract Background Myanmar is estimated to have one of the highest cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates in Asia. There have been limited screening and treatment services for cervical cancer in Myanmar. In this context, to support cervical cancer elimination, understanding the current burde...

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Main Authors: Tay Za Kyi Win, Kate Simms, Myint Myint Thinn, Khaing Nwe Tin, Soe Aung, Eleonora Feletto, Deborah Bateson, Karen Canfell
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer 2025-06-01
Series:Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1007/s44197-025-00436-4
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author Tay Za Kyi Win
Kate Simms
Myint Myint Thinn
Khaing Nwe Tin
Soe Aung
Eleonora Feletto
Deborah Bateson
Karen Canfell
author_facet Tay Za Kyi Win
Kate Simms
Myint Myint Thinn
Khaing Nwe Tin
Soe Aung
Eleonora Feletto
Deborah Bateson
Karen Canfell
author_sort Tay Za Kyi Win
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Myanmar is estimated to have one of the highest cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates in Asia. There have been limited screening and treatment services for cervical cancer in Myanmar. In this context, to support cervical cancer elimination, understanding the current burden of cervical cancer in the country is crucial. This review aims to synthesize the evidence on the epidemiology of cervical cancer in Myanmar. Methods We used the Joanna Briggs Institute approach for systematic review of observational epidemiological studies to conduct a comprehensive review of burden of human papillomavirus (HPV), precancerous cervical lesions, key co-factors and cervical cancer in Myanmar. Embase, Global Health, Medline, and local databases were searched to May 31, 2024. Results Regional population-based cancer registries from Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon reported age-standardized incidence rates of cervical cancer of 19.3 (in 2018) and 14.1 (during 2013–2017) per 100 000 females, respectively. Meta-analyses were conducted to estimate HPV prevalence among the general female population (18–65 years) as 4% [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 3–5%] in the community-based and 11% [95% CI: (4–21%)] in outpatient clinic screening. Among HIV-positive women, HPV prevalence was reported at 30.1%. The most common HPV types in HPV-positive cervical cancers were HPV 16 (60–85.7%) and HPV 18 (14.8–20%). The prevalence of key co-factors included HIV infection (0.7% in the general female population and 8.3% in female sex workers), tobacco use in females (smoking: 8.4% and smokeless: 24.1%), high parity (4.99 births per married woman) and early aged pregnancy (33 births per 1000 adolescent females). Conclusions The cervical cancer incidence rates reported from two regional cancer registries in Myanmar are high relative to those reported in countries across Asia. An estimated one in nine to one in 25 women in Myanmar is infected with HPV, which is broadly concordant with regional estimates. A high prevalence of key co-factors for cervical cancer, combined with limited screening and treatment services, may increase the risk of progression to invasive cancers among HPV infected women. Consequently, Myanmar is likely to bear a substantial burden of cervical cancer.
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spelling doaj-art-1a40487641b14c2e8d6763c142a9a2cc2025-08-20T03:27:11ZengSpringerJournal of Epidemiology and Global Health2210-60142025-06-011511810.1007/s44197-025-00436-4A Review of Human Papillomavirus Prevalence and Cervical Cancer in MyanmarTay Za Kyi Win0Kate Simms1Myint Myint Thinn2Khaing Nwe Tin3Soe Aung4Eleonora Feletto5Deborah Bateson6Karen Canfell7School of Public Health, The University of SydneySchool of Public Health, The University of SydneyDepartment of Gynaecologic Oncology, Central Women HospitalMaternal and Reproductive Health Division, Department of Public HealthDepartment of Medical Oncology, University of MedicineThe Daffodil Centre, A Joint Venture between Cancer Council NSW and the University of SydneySchool of Medicine, The University of SydneySchool of Public Health, The University of SydneyAbstract Background Myanmar is estimated to have one of the highest cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates in Asia. There have been limited screening and treatment services for cervical cancer in Myanmar. In this context, to support cervical cancer elimination, understanding the current burden of cervical cancer in the country is crucial. This review aims to synthesize the evidence on the epidemiology of cervical cancer in Myanmar. Methods We used the Joanna Briggs Institute approach for systematic review of observational epidemiological studies to conduct a comprehensive review of burden of human papillomavirus (HPV), precancerous cervical lesions, key co-factors and cervical cancer in Myanmar. Embase, Global Health, Medline, and local databases were searched to May 31, 2024. Results Regional population-based cancer registries from Nay Pyi Taw and Yangon reported age-standardized incidence rates of cervical cancer of 19.3 (in 2018) and 14.1 (during 2013–2017) per 100 000 females, respectively. Meta-analyses were conducted to estimate HPV prevalence among the general female population (18–65 years) as 4% [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 3–5%] in the community-based and 11% [95% CI: (4–21%)] in outpatient clinic screening. Among HIV-positive women, HPV prevalence was reported at 30.1%. The most common HPV types in HPV-positive cervical cancers were HPV 16 (60–85.7%) and HPV 18 (14.8–20%). The prevalence of key co-factors included HIV infection (0.7% in the general female population and 8.3% in female sex workers), tobacco use in females (smoking: 8.4% and smokeless: 24.1%), high parity (4.99 births per married woman) and early aged pregnancy (33 births per 1000 adolescent females). Conclusions The cervical cancer incidence rates reported from two regional cancer registries in Myanmar are high relative to those reported in countries across Asia. An estimated one in nine to one in 25 women in Myanmar is infected with HPV, which is broadly concordant with regional estimates. A high prevalence of key co-factors for cervical cancer, combined with limited screening and treatment services, may increase the risk of progression to invasive cancers among HPV infected women. Consequently, Myanmar is likely to bear a substantial burden of cervical cancer.https://doi.org/10.1007/s44197-025-00436-4Cervical cancerBurden of diseaseHuman papillomavirusMyanmar
spellingShingle Tay Za Kyi Win
Kate Simms
Myint Myint Thinn
Khaing Nwe Tin
Soe Aung
Eleonora Feletto
Deborah Bateson
Karen Canfell
A Review of Human Papillomavirus Prevalence and Cervical Cancer in Myanmar
Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
Cervical cancer
Burden of disease
Human papillomavirus
Myanmar
title A Review of Human Papillomavirus Prevalence and Cervical Cancer in Myanmar
title_full A Review of Human Papillomavirus Prevalence and Cervical Cancer in Myanmar
title_fullStr A Review of Human Papillomavirus Prevalence and Cervical Cancer in Myanmar
title_full_unstemmed A Review of Human Papillomavirus Prevalence and Cervical Cancer in Myanmar
title_short A Review of Human Papillomavirus Prevalence and Cervical Cancer in Myanmar
title_sort review of human papillomavirus prevalence and cervical cancer in myanmar
topic Cervical cancer
Burden of disease
Human papillomavirus
Myanmar
url https://doi.org/10.1007/s44197-025-00436-4
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