Trends and patterns in cancer incidence in Czechoslovakia, 1968-1985

Cancer incidence rates and trends in Czechoslovakia investigated in the present study are based for the first time on valid data derived mainly from population-based cancer registries. All rates were age-adjusted using world standard population as a reference. The results confirmed first of all a real and apparent increase of the whole cancer incidence trends which was more expressed in males. The increase in the overall cancer incidence among males could be attributed to the steadily continuing growth of lung cancer, responsible for one-quarter of all new cases in recent years, and to a lesser extent, also to the rising rates of "other skin", prostatic, colonic and rectal cancer. The rates and trends among females were influenced by increase and dominant position of breast and "other skin" cancer, responsible together for one-third of new cases. Increasing trends were observed for the incidence of the uterine body, ovary, and for the great majority of digestive tract and other cancer sites. A reduction of incidence was seen only for stomach in both sexes, for the uterine cervix among females, and lip cancer among males. The actual rates and trends of cancer incidence in Czechoslovakia could be compared with those observed in other developed countries. The usefulness and unconditional necessity of adequately reliable data on cancer incidence for epidemiological research and administration of cancer control is emphasized.