Objective  To analyze levels and changes of morbidity, mortality and disease burden of breast and cervical cancer among Chinese women in 1990 and 2019 and to provide a reference for developing effective strategies on breast and cervical cancer prevention and control and reducing relevant disease burden in the population.

  Methods  The data of 1990 and 2019 on morbidity and mortality of breast and cervical cancer for global and Chinese women were extracted from the dataset of the Global Burden of Diseases (GBD). Disability-adjusted life years (DALY), years of life lost (YLL), and years lived with disability (YLD) were calculated to assess disease burden of breast and cervical cancer among the women.

  Results  In 2019 in China, the number of morbidity and mortality were 368 400 and 93 500 for female breast cancer, with the increases of 354.25% and 125.85% compared to those in 1990; while for cervical cancer, the number of morbidity and mortality were 109 800 and 53 400, with the increases of 169.78% and 102.27%, respectively. The morbidity, mortality, DALY, YLL, YLD and their standardization rates for female breast cancer and cervical cancers increased with age, reaching higher levels after the age of 55 in both 1990 and 2019. The DALY for female breast cancer and cervical cancer were 2 877 200 person-years and 1 622 200 person-years in 2019, with the increases of 102.12% and 89.64% compared to those in 1990.

  Conclusion  The disease burden of breast and cervical cancer among women in China increased significantly in 2019, suggesting that the prevention and control of the cancer should be further strengthened.