Cervical cancer in Central and South America: Burden of disease and status of disease control

Despite incidence declines observed in some countries, cervical cancer mortality remained almost stable in most countries in the region. Decreases in mortality trends in Chile and Costa Rica are probably the result of early detection programs. Better organized programs might favor greater impact on cancer incidence and mortality, but technological developments offer more suitable opportunities for prevention and alternative approaches for screening of precancerous lesions.