Burden of female-specific cancers in China from 1990 to 2021: A systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021

Breast cancer and reproductive system cancers remain significant public health threats for Chinese women. In 2021, China reported 385.84 thousand incident cases of female breast cancer, followed by cervical cancer, uterine cancer, and ovarian cancer. Breast cancer ranked as the primary cause of cancer-related deaths, followed by cervical cancer. The age-specific incidence rate for breast, cervical, ovarian, and uterine cancers are projected to occur in the age groups 60-64 years, 55-59 years, 65-69 years, and 60-64 years, respectively. Breast, ovarian, and uterine cancer cases are projected to rise by 2050, which will exceed those recorded in 2021.Various inequities have been identified across four types of cancers affecting women, which underscores the need for tailored national cancer control strategies. Emphasis should be placed on primary prevention and screening for breast and cervical cancers, whereas efforts for uterine and ovarian cancers should focus on implementing early diagnosis and treatment measures. Projections indicate that by 2050, the incidence of breast, ovarian, and uterine cancers will surpass 2021 levels, which underscores the necessity for targeted prevention, early detection, and treatment strategies.