JoVE - Journal of Visualized Experiments
JoVE Visualize
Contact Us

Cancer incidence and mortality trends from 2007 to 2021 in Milan

  • 0Epidemiology Unit, Agency for Health Protection of Milan, Milan, Italy.
European Journal of Cancer Prevention : the Official Journal of the European Cancer Prevention Organisation (ecp) +

|

February 16, 2026

|

February 16, 2026

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Cancer incidence declined in males and stabilized in females from 2007-2021, with mortality decreasing for both sexes. The COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary 2020 incidence drop, but long-term cancer trends remained largely unaffected.

Area Of Science

  • Epidemiology
  • Oncology
  • Public Health

Background

  • Population-based cancer registries are crucial for monitoring long-term cancer incidence and mortality trends.
  • Understanding these trends is essential for effective public health policy and resource allocation.
  • The COVID-19 pandemic introduced unprecedented disruptions to healthcare systems, potentially impacting cancer surveillance and care.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To evaluate long-term cancer incidence and mortality trends in Milan and Lodi, Italy, from 2007 to 2021.
  • To specifically assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 on cancer trends.
  • To analyze trends by sex and identify specific cancer types affected.

Main Methods

  • Utilized data from the Milan Cancer Registry (3.5 million inhabitants) for cancer cases (ICD-O-3) and mortality (ICD-10).
  • Calculated age-standardized rates and employed joinpoint regression to estimate trends, excluding 2020 data initially to avoid pandemic-related distortions.
  • Conducted sensitivity analyses and assessed preliminary quality indicators for the registry data.

Main Results

  • Overall cancer incidence declined among males (APC -1.9%/year) and stabilized/modestly decreased in females (APC -0.6%/year, 2011-2021).
  • Mortality rates showed a steady decline in both sexes (APC -1.9%/year males, -2.1%/year females).
  • A sharp incidence drop occurred in 2020 (-19% males, -13% females) due to pandemic disruptions, with a return to baseline in 2021. Increases were noted in thyroid and testicular cancers.

Conclusions

  • Cancer incidence shows a downward trend in males and stabilization/slight decline in females, while mortality continues to decrease in both sexes.
  • The 2020 incidence reduction was primarily a disruption effect of the pandemic, with limited long-term impact on established trends.
  • Population-based cancer registries are vital for tracking cancer trends and informing health policies, even amidst public health crises.

Keywords: