Tobacco-related tumours of the lung, bladder and larynx: changes in Spain

The association between tobacco use and lung cancer and other tumours has been confirmed by a large number of studies. In Spain, the prevalence of smoking has been declining since 1978. This study describes lung, bladder and laryngeal cancer mortality and incidence rates and their trends in Spain. Mortality data were furnished by the National Statistics Institute (2001-07) and incidence data by population-based cancer registries (1975-2004). Changes in rates were calculated using Poisson regression models, which enable trend changes to be estimated. In the case of lung cancer, mortality rates decreased among men [annual percentage change (APC) -1.3%] though not among women (APC 3.5%), whereas incidence rates increased in both sexes, overall and adjusted for registry, by 0.75% among men and 3.2% among women. Bladder cancer mortality rates decreased among men (APC -1.2%) and women (APC -0.8%), yet incidence rates increased across the sexes. While laryngeal cancer mortality rates decreased among men (APC -5.5%) and women (APC -0.03%) alike, incidence rates decreased (-1.28%) among men but not among women (3.95%). A decrease in male versus female mortality due to tobacco-related tumours is evident in Spain. Incidence rates are beginning to reflect the progressive cessation of smoking that has been observed among men rather than women.