Incidence in Izmir in 1993-1994: first results from Izmir Cancer Registry

A population-based cancer registry, covering the province of Izmir (population 2.7 million, 1993-1994) in Western Turkey was established in 1992. Results for 1993-1994 are presented. Overall cancer incidence was higher in males than in females (age-standardised rates 157.5 and 94.0 per 100000, respectively), as in previous non-population-based series. The principal cancers in males were tobacco-related - lung (age-standardised incidence rate (ASR) 61.6), bladder (ASR 11.0) and larynx (ASR 10.6), consistent with the high prevalence of smoking, and use of traditional high-tar tobaccos. Skin cancers were also relatively common (ASR 11.5 for cancers excluding melanoma). Gastrointestinal cancers were relatively rare. In women, breast cancer was by far the most common malignancy (ASR 24.4); cervical cancer was relatively rare (ASR 5.4). There is probably an underestimate of incidence, due to an inability to use data from certain sources (e.g. death certificates), resulting in a rather high proportion of histologically verified cases (93.7% overall). Nevertheless, the overall profile is an accurate reflection of incidence in this region of Turkey and provides much of the information required for planning strategies to control cancer.