Cancer Registries Population-Based (RCBP) systematically collect data on diagnostic services and treatment of cancer patients thus providing data on cancer incidence. In Brazil, the first PBCR appeared in Recife and São Paulo in the 1960s, and currently there are 28 distributed between capital and other cities across the country. The aim of the study was to analyze trends in incidence rates of cancer of the cervix based on the data selected PBCR. We accessed the data available at the site of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) of the PBCR of Fortaleza, Porto Alegre, Recife and Sao Paulo to obtain the number of cases for malignant neoplasm of the cervix, cancer of the uterus and unspecified part carcinoma in situ of the cervix by age. We used population denominators informed by the Ministry of Health (Datasus). We calculated age-specific rates for age groups stratified were 25-34, 35-49 and 50-59 years. The trend was analyzed by polynomial regression. Periods with information available from 1990 to 2004 ranged from 7 to 13 years. The graphical analysis showed less regularity to Recife. The trend of incidence for cancer of the cervix has been declining and may be partly explained as a function of time among women 35 to 59 years in Fortaleza (ICD-10 C53: 35 to 49 years ß=-9.11, p<0.001 and 50 to 59 years ß=-4.53, p=0.02) and São Paulo (ICD-10 C53: 35 to 49 years ß=-4.83, p=0.04 and 50 to 59 years ß=-4.49, p<0.001). The trend of incidence of cervical cancer - unspecified part - showed decrease among women 35 to 59 years in Porto Alegre (35 to 49 years: p=0.032; 35-49 years: ß=-1.74, p=0.004). The trend analysis of carcinoma in situ of the cervix has been increasing in all cities and age groups studied, with the exception of Recife. The frequency and coverage of the PBCR can interfere with the quality of the estimates of incidence, but even with these limitations, the information generated by them may be relevant to the monitoring of cancer. The observed decrease of invasive cancer and carcinoma in situ growth in Porto Alegre and Fortaleza may indicate positive results of the actions of screening for cancer of the cervix in these cities.
uterine cervical neoplasms; time series studies; epidemiology; incidence