Abstract

Background: Ovarian cancer (OC) has high incidence and mortality rates among the reproductive system cancers. This study investigated the relationship between the age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) and age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of OC and Human Development Index (HDI) in European countries in 2012. Material and methods: This ecological study assessed the correlation between the ASIR and ASMR of OC and HDI and its components including life expectancy at birth, average years of schooling, and gross national income (GNI) per capita. Bivariate correlation analysis was used for assessing the correlation between the ASIR and ASMR of OC and HDI and its components. All reported P values were two-sided. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS (Version 15.0, SPSS Inc.). Results: The maximum ASIR of OC was observed in Latvia, Bulgaria, and Poland. The highest ASMR of OC was observed in Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. The incidence and mortality rates of OC are expected to increase between 2012 and 2035. This increase will be more pronounced in women >= 65 years. HDI had a weak negative correlation with the ASIR of OC (r=- 0.213; P=0.186) and a weak positive correlation with the ASMR of OC (r=0.072; P=0.659). Conclusion: According to the results of this study, health policy makers must make appropriate decisions to deal with the increasing morbidity and mortality of OC, especially in women over 65 years of age, in regions with lower access to prevention and treatment services.