Incidence and mortality of cancer in Navarra, 1993-1997. Tendencies in the last 25 years

Abstract

Between 1993-1997, there were14,023 new cases of cancer registered in Navarra. In men, the most frequently diagnosed cancers were in the following order: lung, prostate, colon and rectum, stomach and bladder, which accounted for 60% of all the cancer cases. In women the sites of breast, colon and rectum, body of uterus, stomach and ovary accounted for 57% of the total number of cases. In the same period, 1993-1997, 3,875 men and 2,332 women died of cancer. 60% of all the deaths caused by malignant tumours in men were due to the sites of lung, colon and rectum, prostate, stomach and bladder. In women the sites of breast, colon and rectum, stomach, pancreas and liver, accounted for 51% of deaths from cancer. Amongst men in Navarra there has been an important increase in the last two decades of the rates of incidence and mortality of cancers related to the habit of smoking (lung, oral cavity and pharynx or pancreas). The global risk of dying from cancer was higher in the late 90s than in the 70s and 80s. From 1995 onwards, cancer mortality advanced from second place to occupy the first place as the cause of death amongst men in Navarra. Amongst women, cardiovascular diseases continue to be the first cause of death. Amongst women the global risk of death from cancer fell by 20% between 1975 and 1997, due principally to a fall in cases of stomach cancer. Tumours related to the habit of smoking have not so far shown substantial increases amongst women in Navarra. Breast cancer has increased in recent years, although its incidence and mortality amongst women in Navarra continues to be somewhat lower than the average in the European Union and the United States. Invasive cervical cancer remains at very low rates with respect to many European countries, including Spain. In both sexes there has been an increase in colorectal cancer and melanoma, while the incidence and mortality of stomach cancer continues to fall.