The lung cancer epidemic in Australia, 1910 to 1989

Deaths that occurred in Australia between 1985 and 1989 that were ascribed to cancers of the respiratory tract and intrathoracic organs were obtained to update Australian lung cancer mortality trends. The age-standardised mortality rate from lung cancer in males decreased significantly from 49/100,000 in 1980-1984 to 46.4/100,000 in 1985-1989 (-5.5%). Lung cancer mortality in females increased significantly to 12.3/100,000 in 1985-1989 from an average of 10.7/100,000 in 1980-1984 (+15%). We conclude that lung cancer mortality in males is declining and although mortality in females continues to increase, there is evidence that the rate of increase has started to slow. The decline in male mortality has been anticipated from their trends in smoking cessation. The slowing increase in women cannot be ascribed to similar patterns of cessation. It is considered more likely to be due to decreasing trends in tar consumption linked to the tar content of preferred brands.