Abstract Objective Cervical cancer remains a major public health concern globally. It is the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths among women worldwide. In 2020, the global incidence of cervical cancer was estimated to be 604 000 with a standardized mortality rate of 341 000. In Tanzania, cervical cancer is the most common female cancer and a leading cause of cancer‐related deaths. The majority of data demonstrating the survival rate of cervical cancer originates from high‐ and middle‐income countries with contributions from low‐income countries such as Tanzania being relatively scarce. Determining the factors associated with survival is critical in an attempt to inform strategies to improve outcome of women with cervical cancer. The aim of the present study was to determine the 3‐year overall survival rate and associated factors among women with invasive cervical cancer attended at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) from 2018 to 2020. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted at ORCI by using their cancer registry database. The study included 256 women diagnosed with cervical cancer from 2018 to 2020. Survival analysis was estimated by using Kaplan‐Meir analysis, Cox regression hazard proportion and log‐rank test and a P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Stata version 17 was used for analysis. Results Among 256 women with cervical cancer, the survival rate across one‐, two‐ and 3‐years, respectively were 83.6%, 77.0%, and 72.7%. Survival rate was significantly associated with both FIGO stage during diagnosis and hemoglobin level. Those who received concurrent chemoradiotherapy had a higher survival rate compared to those who received radiotherapy or chemotherapy only, and it was statistically significant with P < 0.001. Conclusion The study found an overall survival rate of 72.7% over 3 years. Factors associated with survival rate were early FIGO stage at diagnosis, normal hemoglobin level at diagnosis, and the use of concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Proper staging, good patient preparation and good choice of treatment improves survival. With availability of advance treatment options in the country the survival rate of women is promising.
Musa et al. (Thu,) studied this question.