"Haves" vs. "Have-Nots" in Cancer Screening Creates a  Dismal Picture for Cervical Cancer Worldwide

In the U.S. and other developed countries, breast cancer rates and deaths far exceed those of cervical cancer.  This is partly because there is more breast cancer in the "developed world", but mostly it is due to the dramatic decrease in cervical cancer due to screening with the Pap test.  As a result, 80% of cervical cancer cases now occur in developing countries.  Worldwide, cervical cancer is the third most common cancer and the most common cause of cancer death in women.  In contrast, in the U.S., cervical cancer ranks 12th in female cancer deaths..  It has been estimated that cervical cancer rates can be reduced as much as 90% with effective screening.

Read more about it in this article in Family Planning Perspectives.