The incidence and mortality rates of invasive carcinoma of the cervix in the state of Geneva, Switzerland, is reported for the time periods 1970-1973 and 1980-1983. A reduction in mortality (7 to 4.3/100,000) occurred as well as a considerable decrease in the overall incidence (20.3 to 11.4/100,000). This decrease is particularly marked in the age group of 35-64 years. It is less marked between the ages of 60 and 69 and did not appears before 35 years or after 70 years of age. In the time period 1980-1983, more than one half of the cases were found after age 60 years, two thirds of them in stage 2 or worse. It is therefore essential that screening programs recruit a high enough proportion of older women.