Incidence of lung cancer in five towns in Israel, 1960-74

Age-standardized incidence rates of lung cancer, based on data from the Israel Cancer Registry, were calculated in five urban areas in Israel during three 5-year periods: 1960-64, 1965-69 and 1970-74. The rates in these towns and during the different periods were compared. For both sexes the incidence was lowest in Jerusalem, the city with the lowest air pollution. The incidence rate of lung cancer in males during the entire period reviewed fell in all towns except for Tel Aviv, where it rose. Cancers of the urinary bladder and of the pancreas did not display these trends. Possible explanations for the differences are discussed.