Differential rates of carcinoma of cervix uteri among the Chagga and Pares of Kilimanjaro region, Tanzania

Abstract

Cervical cancer is the commonest cancer among females in Northern Tanzania. Female Pares showed a higher age specific incidence rate especially in the older age groups (50-65 years) compared to Chagga females. The incidence per year per 100,000 women, corrected to the standard African population was 5.0 in Moshi and 9.6 in Pare, during the study period. Both of these ethnic groups live in a limited geographic region and are culturally similar. The higher rate of cervical cancer among the Pares seems to be due to their increased sexual activity which is usually with several male partners.