Analysis on the registration data of cancer incidence in Qidong: 1972～2002

Objective To explore the trend of cancer incidence from 1972 to 2000 in Qidong and provide baseline data for the control and prevention. Methods Crude incidence rate were calculated using data from the cancer registry office in Qidong, and age standardized rates were computed according to China age structure of 1964 and world age structure of 1960. The epidemiological features and secular change trends of cancer were described. Results 55 496 cases of cancer were registered in Qidong from 1972 to 2000, in which 35 404 were male, and 20 092 were female, with a sex ratio of 1.76∶1. The crude annual incidence rate was 170.74 per 100 000 (male 220.47, female 122.18), showing a slight increase tendency during the period. China age standardized rate (CASR) was 118.77 per 100 000 (male 150.68, female 84.70), and world age standardized rate (WASR) was 169.13 per 100 000 (male 234.50, female 112.47), demonstrating a steady trends through the period. The leading cancer sites in rank were liver, stomach, lung, esophagus, and rectum, accounted for 75.69% of all sites. For males and females, the ranks were same except that the site of esophagus was substituted with the site of breast in females. In recent years, the incidence of lung cancer has been only lower than that of liver cancer, being ranked second instead of stomach. Conclusions Cancer was the second major cause of death among residents in Qidong. The cancers in the sites of digestive organs such as liver, and in the site of lung were the most common malignant tumors, which may be a reflection of the increase of aged population. The control and prevention for the chronic diseases like cancers should be emphasized.