In Croatia, there are about 355 incident cases and about 100 deaths from cervical cancer every year. The aim of this
study is to present the trends of cervical cancer incidence and mortality and to propose preventive strategies for cervical
cancer in Croatia. Age-standardised and age-specific cervical cancer incidence rates were calculated for the period
1985–2004. For cervical cancer mortality data, the WHO Mortality Database was used. After an early decrease of cervical
cancer incidence and mortality following the introduction of opportunistic screening in Croatia, no further decrease has
been observed since the 1990s. An increase in incidence over the last 20 years was observed in the age-groups 40–44 and
45–49 years. To reduce cervical cancer rates, an organised cervical cancer screening programme is essential. In addition,
HPV vaccination should be introduced in the school vaccination programme to achieve further reductions in cervical
cancer incidence in the future.