Cancer survival in Manila, Philippines, 1994-1995

The population-based cancer registry in Manila, Philippines, called the Philippine Cancer Society-Manila Cancer Registry, was established in 1983. Cancer registration is pursued by active methods. The registry contributed survival data on a random sample of total incident cancers of breast (500), cervix (500), colon and rectum (300) registered in 1994-1995. Follow-up has been carried out by passive and active methods, with median follow-up ranging between 15-33 months for different cancers. The proportion of histologically verified diagnosis for various cancers ranged between 78-88%; 74-83% of the total submitted cases were included for survival analysis. Complete follow-up at five years was available in 75-82% of cases. Five-year age-standardized relative survival rates was the highest for cancer of the breast (52%) followed by colon (49%), cervix (36%) and rectum (31%). Five-year relative survival by age group did not display any pattern or trend and was fluctuating. A decreasing survival with increasing extent of disease was noted for all cancers.