A simulation approach for estimating the loss of womanyears due to cervical cancer and probability of developing cervical cancer.

Using a simulation approach, the number of womanyears that can be saved by preventing cancer of the uterine cervix was estimated. Probabilities of developing cervical cancer in the lifetime were also estimated. The number of years saved varied from 42 in the women aged between 20 and 24 years to 2 years in women aged 70 years and above. Probabilities of developing cervical cancer in the lifetime varied from 5.2% in women aged between 20 and 24 years to 0.6% in women aged 70 years and above. The results indicate that a noticeable incidence starts only after 35 years of age and about 90% of the total years can be saved by preventing the disease in women aged between 35 and 64 years.