Background: Ovarian carcinoma has the highest mortality rate among all gynecological cancers. Several reproductive and hormonal risk factors, including early menarche, late menopause, limited use of oral contraceptives, and a low pregnancy rate, have been identified as contributors to the increased susceptibility to ovarian cancer. Advancements in cancer therapy over the past century, including the emergence of precision oncology, underscore the importance of early detection and tailored interventions, factors particularly critical in ovarian cancer, where late-stage diagnosis remains a persistent barrier to survival. This challenge is compounded by the lack of a universally endorsed screening program, resulting in late-stage identification and widespread metastasis.
Aim: To evaluate demographic differences in ovarian cancer-related mortality from 1999 to 2020 among adult females aged ≥ 25 years within the United States.
Methods: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database was used to collect de-identified death certificate data for malignant neoplasm of the ovaries related deaths in female adults aged 25 years and older from the year 1999 to 2020. Crude mortality rates and age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) per 100000 people were calculated. Join point regression program was used to assess annual percent changes in mortality trends, with statistical significance set at P value < 0.05.
Results: Between 1999 and 2020, 337619 deaths due to ovarian cancer occurred among United States females aged 25 to > 85. The AAMR decreased from 14.62 in 1999 to 10.15 in 2020, with significant declines across various demographics. The AAMRs were highest among non-Hispanic White women, i.e., 13.53. Based on region, they were the highest in the Northeast (13.06) and Midwest (12.94). The steepest decline was observed in metropolitan areas as compared to nonmetropolitan ones. The study highlights significant progress in reducing ovarian cancer mortality across age, race/ethnicity, and geographic regions during this period.
Conclusion: The mortality trends for ovarian carcinoma patients showed an overall decrease, with the highest mortality rates observed among older individuals (65 to > 85 years) and non-Hispanic Whites. These disparities underscore the need for equitable healthcare access and targeted policy interventions.
Keywords: Age-adjusted mortality rate; Crude mortality rate; Demographic trends; Mortality; Ovarian cancer; Ovarian carcinoma; United States.
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