Prevalence Trends of Esophageal Cancer in Henan in 1974-1999

Objective To estimate Henan's esophageal cancer mortality rates and to compare trends in mortality between 1974 and 1999,identifying when changes occur as well as the magnitude of the changes,can provide additional information.Methods We collected cancer mortality data from 1974-1999,according to Mortality Statistics of Causes of Death in Populations.The mortality trends of esophageal cancer were studied.Results The data thus obtained show that cancer of the esophagus are the leading cause of all cancer deaths.During the period of 1974 to 1999,marked changes have taken place in the Henan province in cancer mortality rates of esophagus.Oesophageal cancer mortality rates decreased over the period studied for males,from approximately 43.55 per 100 000 in 1974-1976 to 26.47 in 1996-1998,and for females,from approximately 22 per 100 000 in 1974-1976 to 16 in 1996-1998.Esophageal cancer account for 41.77% of all cancer deaths in 1974-1976 and 25.25% in 1996-1998.In general in Henan,men have higher mortality rates than women,and rural area have higher mortality rates than urban area.Secular trend on esophageal cancer in 1974-2010 with regression used for spatial analysis.Conclusions The findings have raised the possibility that dietary changes of residents in Henan may be responsible for esophageal cancer reduction.The role of the population based cancer registry is to collect the data which will give an accurate picture of cancer in a population.The cancer registry data can also be used to plan medical facilities and requirements needed for cacer control.