Description of a Lung Cancer Hotspot: Disparities in Lung Cancer Histology,Incidence, and Survival in Kentucky and Appalachian Kentucky

IntroductionKentucky is recognized as the state with the highest lung cancer burden for more than 2 decades, but how lung cancer differs in Kentucky relative to other US populations is not fully understood.Patients and MethodsWe examined lung cancer reported to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program by Kentucky and the other SEER regions for patients diagnosed between 2012 and 2016. Our analyses included histologic types, incidence rates, stage at diagnosis, and survival in Kentucky and Appalachian Kentucky relative to other SEER regions.ResultsWe found that both squamous cell carcinomas and small-cell lung cancers represent larger proportions of lung cancer diagnoses in Kentucky and Appalachian Kentucky than they do in the SEER registries. Furthermore, age-adjusted cancer incidence rates were higher in Kentucky for every subtype of lung cancer examined. Most notably, for Appalachian women the rate of small-cell carcinomas was 3.5-fold higher, and for Appalachian men the rate of squamous cell carcinoma was 3.1-fold higher, than the SEER rates. In Kentucky, lung cancers were diagnosed at later stages and lung cancer survival was lower for adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine carcinomas than in SEER registries. Squamous cell carcinomas and small-cell carcinomas were most lethal in Appalachian Kentucky.ConclusionTogether, these data highlight the considerable disparities among lung cancer cases in the United States and demonstrate the continuing high burden and poor survival of lung cancer in Kentucky and Appalachian Kentucky. Strategies to identify and rectify causes of these disparities are discussed.     

Decreasing rates of cervical cancer among American Indians and Hispanics in New Mexico (United States)

Minority women in New Mexico (United States)—including American Indian and Hispanic women—have shown disproportionately high incidence rates of invasive cervical cancer during the 1960s and 1970s. Several public health programs in New Mexico were directed toward early detection of cervical cellular abnormalities, particularly targeting the state's minority women. To evaluate the effectiveness of these programs, we examined the New Mexico Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data collected from 1969–92, and calculated average annual, age-specific, and age-adjusted incidence rates by ethnic group (American Indian, Hispanic, and non-Hispanic White) for five-year time intervals. We also calculated age-adjusted mortality rates for cervical cancer in the same ethnic groups using state vital records. Age-adjusted incidence rates for invasive cervical cancer show substantial temporal decreases, especially for minority women in the state. The age-adjusted incidence rate decreased by 66 percent, from 30.3 to 10.3 per 100,000 for American Indian women, and by 61 percent, from 26.1 to 10.2 per 100,000 for Hispanic women. A stage shift to earlier stages of cervical neoplasia occurred over the study period, with a substantially higher proportion of in situ compared with invasive cancers diagnosed in the most recent cf the most remote time period. The ratio of incidence rates of in situ to invasive cancers changed dramatically for both American Indian and Hispanic women. Cervical cancer mortality rates decreased steadily among Hispanic women from 1958 to 1992; the decrease among American Indian women was less stable and fluctuated due to small numbers. Ongoing targeted sceening programs should help to reduce cervical cancer incidence and mortality further in New Mexico.Drs Chao, Becker, Jordan, Darling, Gilliland, and Key are with the New Mexico Tumor Registry/Epidemiology and Cancer Control Program, Albuquerque, NM, USA. Dr Jordan and also Dr Key are with the Department of Pathology, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM. Address correspondence to Dr Chao, New Mexico Tumor Registry, University of New Mexico Cancer Research and Treatment Center, 900 Camino de Salud NE, Albuquerque, NM, 87131-5306, USA.     

Cancer in Appalachia, 2001-2003

BACKGROUND: Researchers have not been able to examine cancer incidence rates in Appalachia because high-quality data have not been uniformly available across the region. This study is the first to report cancer incidence rates for a large proportion of the Appalachian population and describe the differences in incidence rates between Northern, Central, and Southern Appalachia. METHODS: Forty-four states and the District of Columbia provided information for the diagnosis years 2001 through 2003 from cancer registries that met high-quality data criteria. Eleven of 13 states with counties in Appalachia, covering 88% of the Appalachian population, met these criteria; Virginia and Mississippi were included for 2003 only. SEER(*)Stat was used to calculate age-adjusted rates per 100,000 population and 95% gamma confidence limits. RESULTS: Overall, cancer incidence rates were higher in Appalachia than in the rest of the US; the rates for lung, colon/rectum, and other tobacco-related cancers were particularly high. Central Appalachia had the highest rates of lung (men: 143.8; women: 75.2) and cervical cancer (11.2)-higher than the other 2 regions and the rest of the US. Northern Appalachia had the highest rates for prostate, female breast, and selected other sites, and Southern Appalachia had the lowest overall cancer incidence rates. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer incidence rates in Appalachia are higher than in the rest of the US, and they vary substantially between regions. Additional studies are needed to understand how these variations within Appalachia are associated with lifestyle, socioeconomic factors, urban/rural residence, and access to care.     

Descriptive epidemiology of thyroid cancer in Hawaii

Data were analyzed from 1110 thyroid cancer cases between 1960 and 1984 identified by the Hawaii Tumor Registry, a population-based Statistics, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) participant covering the entire state of Hawaii. Incidence rates for men and women were relatively stable during this 25-year period. The overall age-adjusted rates were 8.1 per 100,000 for women and 3.1 per 100,000 for men. There was a significant variation in incidence on the basis of ethnicity, with the highest rates for women occurring in Filipinos (18.2 per 100,000) and for men in Chinese (6.3 per 100,000). A comparison of different populations around the world showed that Hawaii has some of the highest reported incidence rates for thyroid cancer. In addition, a comparison of ethnic-specific incidence rates for groups living in Hawaii with people of the same ethnic backgrounds living in other geographic areas showed that Hawaii residents generally have much higher rates, suggesting that environmental influences are responsible for the unusually high rates in Hawaii.     

Cervical cancer in the Netherlands 1989-1998: Decrease of squamous cell carcinoma in older women, increase of adenocarcinoma in younger women

Cervical cancer is a preventable disease, occurring in relatively young women. In the Netherlands, population-based cervical screening aims at women aged 30-60 years. We performed a population-based study of the incidence of invasive cervical cancer in the Netherlands to evaluate trends, with emphasis on age at time of diagnosis. Histologic diagnosis was retrieved from the Netherlands Cancer Registry for all women residing in the Netherlands with invasive cervical cancer between January 1, 1989, and December 31, 1998. In this 10-year period, the incidence rate of squamous cell carcinoma decreased significantly from 7.1/100,000 to 6.1/100,000 (p < 0.001), with the greatest decrease in women aged 60-74 (-5.5%). While the overall incidence rate of adenocarcinoma remained stable, it increased in women aged 15-29 (+15.8%) and in women aged 30-44 (+2.5%), though the number of cases was small. For squamous cell carcinoma, the incidence of stage II at diagnosis decreased most (-2.7%). There was no change in stage at diagnosis for adenocarcinoma. Most cases of cervical cancer, 60.5%, were detected between ages 30 and 60 years, i.e., the Dutch screening age interval. Cervical cancer in women below age 30 contributed 5.0% to the total incidence, with 3.0% occurring between ages 27 and 29. Thus, screening for cervical cancer in the Netherlands is associated with a decrease in the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma incidence appears to be increasing in younger women.     

Cervical adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma incidence trends among white women and black women in the United States for 1976-2000

BACKGROUND: Although cervical carcinoma incidence and mortality rates have declined in the U.S. greatly since the introduction of the Papanicolaou smear, this decline has not been uniform for all histologic subtypes. Therefore, the authors assessed the differential incidence rates of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC) of the cervix by race and disease stage for the past 25 years. METHODS: Data from nine population-based cancer registries participating in the U.S. Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program were used to compute incidence rates for cervical carcinoma diagnosed during 1976-2000 by histologic subtype (SCC and AC), race (black and white), age, and disease stage (in situ, localized, regional, or distant). RESULTS: In black women and white women, the overall incidence of invasive SCC declined over time, and the majority of tumors that are detected currently are in situ and localized carcinomas in young women. The incidence of in situ SCC increased sharply in the early 1990s. AC in situ (AIS) incidence rates increased, especially among young women. In black women, invasive AC incidence rose linearly with age. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in screening, endocervical sampling, nomenclature, and improvements in treatment likely explain the increased in situ cervical SCC incidence in white women and black women. Increasing AIS incidence over the past 20 years in white women has not yet translated into a decrease in invasive AC incidence. Etiologic factors may explain the rising invasive cervical AC incidence in young white women; rising cervical AC incidence with age in black women may reflect either lack of effective screening or a differential disease etiology.     

Population-based surveillance for cervical cancer precursors in three central cancer registries,United States 2009

Purpose

The USA has a well-established network of central cancer registries (CCRs) that collect data using standardized definitions and protocols to provide population-based estimates of cancer incidence. The addition of cervical cancer precursors in select CCR operations would facilitate future studies measuring the population-level impact of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine. To assess the feasibility of collecting data on cervical cancer precursors, we conducted a multi-site surveillance study in three state-wide CCRs, to obtain annual case counts and compare rates of precursor lesions to those for invasive cervical cancer.

Methods

We developed standardized methods for case identification, data collection and transmission, training and quality assurance, while allowing for registry-specific strategies to accomplish surveillance objectives. We then conducted population-based surveillance for precancerous cervical lesions in three states using the protocols.

Results

We identified 5,718 cases of cervical cancer precursors during 2009. Age-adjusted incidence of cervical cancer precursors was 77 (Kentucky), 60 (Michigan), and 54 (Louisiana) per 100,000 women. Highest rates were observed in those aged 20–29 years: 274 (Kentucky), 202 (Michigan), and 196 (Louisiana) per 100,000. The variable with the most missing data was race/ethnicity, which was missing for 13 % of cases in Kentucky, 18 % in Michigan, and 1 % in Louisiana. Overall rates of cervical cancer precursors were over sixfold higher than invasive cervical cancer rates [rate ratios: 8.6 (Kentucky), 8.3 (Michigan), and 6.2 (Louisiana)].

Conclusions

Incorporating surveillance of cervical cancer precursors using existing CCR infrastructure is feasible and results in collection of population-based incidence data. Standardized collection of these data in high-quality registry systems will be useful in future activities monitoring the impact of HPV vaccination across states. As a result of this study, ongoing surveillance of these lesions has now been conducted in four CCRs since 2010.     

Epidemiology of skin cancer based on Japan's National Cancer Registry 2016–2017

Skin cancer is most frequently diagnosed in the White population. However, its subtypes and epidemiology in Japan are understudied. We aimed to elucidate skin cancer incidence in Japan based on the National Cancer Registry, a new nationwide integrated population-based registry. Data from patients diagnosed with skin cancer in 2016 and 2017 were extracted and classified by cancer subtypes. Data were analyzed using the World Health Organization and General Rules tumor classifications. Tumor incidence was calculated as the number of new cases divided by the corresponding total person-years. Overall, 67,867 patients with skin cancer were included. The percentage of each subtype was as follows: basal cell carcinoma, 37.2%; squamous cell carcinoma, 43.9% (18.3% of which, in situ); malignant melanoma, 7.2% (22.1% of which, in situ); extramammary Paget's disease, 3.1% (24.9% of which, in situ); adnexal carcinoma, 2.9%; dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, 0.9%; Merkel cell carcinoma, 0.6%; angiosarcoma, 0.5%; and hematologic malignancies, 3.8%. The overall age-adjusted incidence of skin cancer was 27.89 for the Japanese population model and 9.28 for the World Health Organization (WHO) model. The incidences of basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma were the highest (3.63 and 3.40 per 100,000 persons, respectively, in the WHO model) among skin cancers, whereas the incidences of angiosarcoma and Merkel cell carcinoma were the lowest (0.026 and 0.038 per 100,000 persons, respectively, in the WHO model). This is the first report to provide comprehensive information on the epidemiological status of skin cancers in Japan using population-based NCR data.     

Head and neck in situ carcinoma: incidence, trends, and survival

This analysis describes the epidemiology of in situ head and neck carcinomas (anatomic sites of lip, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx) about which there is limited knowledge. Data were derived from nine population-based cancer registries participating in the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program. SEER annual age-adjusted incidence rates for in situ head and neck carcinomas increased from 6.33/1,000,000 person-years (PY) in 1976 to 8.04/1,000,000 PY in 1995 [percent change (PC)=35%, P<0. 001]. From 1976 to 1995 age-adjusted changes in incidence by anatomic site ranged from 53% PC (larynx) to -11% PC (lip) (both P<0. 005). Incidence and survival associated with in situ head and neck carcinomas varied by anatomic site, age, sex, and race and did so in a pattern similar to that seen for invasive carcinomas of this region. However, the climbing incidence of in situ carcinoma, which may be related to increased surveillance, contrasts sharply with the declining incidence of invasive carcinoma.     

Merkel cell carcinoma: changing incidence trends

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to define the incidence trends of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), a rare and aggressive cutaneous malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All cases of MCC of the skin between 1986 and 2001 were identified using the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) program. Overall age-adjusted, gender-specific, age-specific, stage-specific, and regional incidence rates were calculated. All rates are per 100,000 and age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population. Estimated annual percent change (EAPC) was calculated using a linear least squares model. RESULTS: A total of 1,124 cases of MCC were identified in the SEER registries. The rate of MCC increased from 0.15 cases per 100,000 in 1986 to 0.44 cases per 100,000 in 2001. The EAPC for the time period was 8.08%. This was statistically significant (95% CI: 6.29, 9.90, P-value < 0.05). Age-specific incidence (5-year age groups) were highest in the elderly, 4.28 per 100,000 in the 85+ age group. CONCLUSIONS: MCC incidence rates have increased threefold over the 1986-2001 period. Rates are highest in the elderly population. Further etiologic studies and identification of high-risk populations are warranted.     

Changing incidence rate of invasive lobular breast carcinoma among older women

BACKGROUND: In 1998, an unusually large number of invasive lobular breast carcinoma cases were seen at the University of Washington. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the incidence rate of invasive lobular carcinoma has been increasing disproportionately compared with the incidence rate of invasive ductal carcinoma. METHODS: Age specific and age-adjusted breast carcinoma incidence rates from 1977-1995 were obtained from the nine population-based cancer registries that participate in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program. Three histologic groupings were used: lobular, ductal, and all invasive breast carcinomas. Overall incidence rates for each grouping, as well as for each stage (local, regional, and distant), were obtained. RESULTS: The rate of incidence of lobular carcinoma increased steadily from 1977-1995 in women age >/= 50 years whereas it remained stable in women age < 50 years. Alternatively, the rate of incidence of ductal carcinoma increased steadily from 1977-1987, but from 1987-1995 it remained relatively constant across all age groups. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence rates of invasive lobular breast carcinomas increased steadily since 1977 whereas the incidence rates of invasive ductal carcinoma have plateaued since 1987. This rise occurred specifically among women age >/= 50 years and may be related to postmenopausal status. Further epidemiologic, clinical, and laboratory research is required to assess what factors are contributing to this trend.     

Determination of county-level prostate carcinoma incidence and detection rates with Medicare claims data.

BACKGROUND: To the authors' knowledge, national-level population-based data regarding prostate carcinoma incidence and detection currently are not available. The availability of such data could identify those regions with a disproportionately high cancer incidence as well as the population-level association between prostate carcinoma detection and incidence. METHODS: Inpatient, hospital outpatient, and physician/supplier Medicare claims from 1997 were used to identify incident cases of prostate carcinoma in men age > or = 65 years and to calculate state and county-level incidence rates. The 1991 and 1997 claims data were used to determine small area rates of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing and prostate biopsy and to determine their correlation with incidence. RESULTS: The calculated incidence rates for 1997 were 890 per 100,000 and 1196 per 100,000, respectively, in white males and African-American males and varied substantially between counties (i.e., 25--75th percentile, 676--1124 per 100,000). Rates of PSA and prostate biopsy increased markedly from 1991 to 1997 in both white men (1580 per 100,000 to 24,286 per 100,000) and African-American men (1277 per 100,000 to 15,190 per 100,000), and considerable variation in detection between counties was observed. Counties that had higher rates of prostate biopsy also had higher age-adjusted incidence rates, and county-level PSA testing was found to be associated with incidence in African-American patients, but not in white patients. CONCLUSIONS: Medicare claims may provide an alternative source of population-based data, particularly for areas in which registry data are not readily available or are of limited scope. In addition, claims provide otherwise unavailable national data concerning cancer detection.     

Racial and ethnic disparities in the incidence of invasive cervical cancer in Florida

BACKGROUND:

Although cervical cancer incidence has declined in the past decade, considerable racial and ethnic differences remain. The objective of this study was to examine differences in incidence by histology and cancer stage in Florida stratified further by race, ethnicity, and 5‐year time intervals.

METHODS:

Women who were diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer in Florida between January 1985 and December 2004 were included in the analysis. Age‐adjusted incidence rates by race and ethnicity were estimated for different histologic types and stages of cancer. The annual percentage of change in incidence also was calculated for each histologic type. Rate ratios were estimated by race and ethnicity using whites and non‐Hispanics as the reference group.

RESULTS:

Overall, the incidence in Florida of cervical squamous cell carcinoma and transitional cell carcinoma declined significantly from 9.1 per 100,000 women in 1985 to 5.6 per 100,000 women in 2004 (P < .05), whereas the incidence of cervical adenocarcinoma remained stable (P > .05). The incidence of invasive cervical cancer was 9.6 per 100,000 women among whites and 13.13 per 100,000 women among African Americans from 2000 to 2004. African‐American women were nearly 2 times more likely to be diagnosed at regional and distant cancer stages than white women for all periods examined. Furthermore, among African‐American women aged >40 years, the age‐specific incidence of invasive cervical cancer increased considerably, whereas the rates among other racial groups decreased.

CONCLUSIONS:

The increasing rate of invasive cervical cancer among African‐American women aged >40 years in Florida, coupled with their diagnosis at a later stage of cancer, is of great concern. Most screening organizations recommend stopping screening at age 65 years. The observations from these analyses highlighted the need to focus prevention and screening efforts on African‐American women living in Florida, and particularly on women of postreproductive age. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.     

Risk-adjusted cancer-incidence rates (United States)

A risk-adjusted method is proposed for estimating cancer incidence rates from data collected by the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program of the US National Cancer Institute. Unlike the conventional incidence-rate estimates reported by SEER, this method considers only the first primary cancer, and adjusts for population-based cancer prevalence, as well as for surgical procedures which remove an individual from risk of developing a given cancer. Thus, risk-adjusted incidence-rates more accurately reflect the average cancer risk for individuals in the cancer-free, at-risk population. The results of the analysis indicate that, in general, incidence-rate estimates are fairly similar between the conventional and risk-adjusted methods. However, this is not the case for certain cancer sites which may have: (i) a high number of subsequent primary cancers (e.g., melanomas—skin); (ii) a high cancer prevalence proportion (e.g., prostate cancer); (iii) a high number of subsequent primary cancers and prevalence proportion (e.g., female breast); or (iv) a high prevalence of removal of the organ in question (e.g., cervical and uterine cancers). For example, by applying the risk-adjusted incidence method for in situ and invasive cervical cancer, we found that in the period 1990–92 the age-adjusted incidence-rate estimate increased from 57.8 to 66.3 (15 percent) per 100,000 person-years; the greatest increase in the incidence-rate estimate occurred for women aged 65 to 69 years, from 40.1 to 63.2 (58 percent) per 100,000 person-years; and the lifetime risk of developing cervical cancer increased from 4.6 (1 in 22) to 5.5 (1 in 18) percent.Drs Merrill and Feuer are with the Cancer Control Research Program of the National Cancer Institute, Applied Research Branch, Bethesda, MD, USA. Address correspondence to Dr Merrill, US National Cancer Institute, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, Applied Research Branch, 9000 Rockville Pike, EPN 313, Bethesda, MD 20892-7368, USA.     

Success of a Cervical Cancer Screening Program: Trends in Incidence in Songkhla,Southern Thailand, 1989-2010, and Prediction of Future Incidences to 2030

Background: Cervical cancer has been a leading female cancer in Thailand for decades, and has been secondto breast cancer after 2007. The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has provided opportunistic screening withPap smears for more than 30 years. In 2002, the MoPH and the National Health Security Office providedcountrywide systematic screening of cervical cancer to all Thai women aged 35-60 years under universal healthcare coverage insurance scheme at 5-year intervals. Objectives: This study characterized the cervical cancerincidence trends in Songkhla in southern Thailand using joinpoint and age period cohort (APC) analysis toobserve the effect of cervical cancer screening activities in the past decades, and to project cervical cancer ratesin the province, to 2030. Materials and Methods: Invasive and in situ cervical cancer cases were extracted fromthe Songkhla Cancer Registry from 1990 through 2010. Age standardized incidence rates were estimated. Trendsin incidences were evaluated by joinpoint and APC regression models. The Norpred package was modified for Rand was used to project the future trends to 2030 using the power of 5 function and cut trend method. Results:Cervical cancer incidence in Songkhla peaked around 1998-2000 and then dropped by -4.7% per year. APCanalysis demonstrated that in situ tumors caused an increase in incidence in early ages, younger cohorts, and inlater years of diagnosis. Conclusions: Both joinpoint and APC analysis give the same conclusion in continuationof a declining trend of cervical cancer to 2030 but with different rates and the predicted goal of ASR below 10or even 5 per 100,000 women by 2030 would be achieved. Thus, maintenance and improvement of the screeningprogram should be continued. Other population based cancer registries in Thailand should analyze their datato confirm the success of cervical cancer screening policy of Thailand.     

Incidence trends in triple-negative breast cancer among women in the United States from 2010 to 2019 by race/ethnicity,age and tumor stage

There were substantial ethnic disparities in the incidence rates of triple-negative breast cancer, but few studies were conducted on the incidence trend of triple-negative breast cancer by race/ethnicity. This study aimed to address the longer trends in the incidence of triple-negative breast cancer by race/ethnicity in women from 2010 to 2019, examine the incidence trends by patient age, tumor stage and time periods, and explore the changing proportions of three component receptors over time for triple-negative breast cancer. Our study identified 573,168 women with incident breast cancer at age ≥20 years between 2010 and 2019 in 18 SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) registries. Of them, 62,623 (10.9%) were incident triple-negative breast cancer and 510,545 were non-triple negative breast cancer cases. The denominator of population included 320,117,009 women aged ≥20 in the same SEER areas. The study found that overall age-adjusted incidence rate of triple-negative breast cancer in women aged ≥20 years was 18.3 cases per 100,000 women. Age-adjusted incidence rate of triple-negative breast cancer was the highest in black women (33.8 cases per 100,000 women), followed by white (17.5), American Indian and Alaska Native (AIAN) (14.7), Hispanic (14.7), and Asian women (12.4). The significantly higher age-adjusted incidence of triple-negative breast cancer in black women as compared to white women appeared to be limited in younger women aged 20-44 only. Annual percentage changes in age-adjusted incidence of triple-negative breast cancer slightly decreased insignificantly in white, black and Asian women aged 20-44 and 45-54 years. There was a statistically significant annual percentage increase in age-adjusted incidence of triple-negative breast cancer in Asian and black women aged ≥55 years. In conclusion, there was a significantly higher incidence of triple-negative breast cancer in black women aged 20-44 years. From 2010 to 2019, there were no significant annual percentage changes in age-adjusted incidence of triple-negative breast cancer in all ethnic groups of women aged <55 years, with the exception of a significant decrease among AIAN women aged 45-54 years. However, there was a statistically significant annual percentage increase in age-adjusted incidence of triple-negative breast cancer in Asian and black women aged ≥55 years.     

Efficacy of screening for cervical squamous and adenocarcinoma. The Dutch experience

The nationwide screening program for cervical carcinoma in The Netherlands was unique in that all women between the age of 35 and 55 years were individually invited to undergo a cervical spatula smear. The total rate of positive histologic findings in six regions of the country was 3.9 per thousand, and decreased in the second screening after 3 years with 48% of patients. Further analysis of the change in rates of the separate histologic subgroups in six regions revealed: Severe dysplasia showed no change in rates. The rates of carcinoma in situ and invasive squamous cell carcinoma were influenced clearly by the screening. The preinvasive stages of adenocarcinoma of the cervix were underdiagnosed in the first screening, and there was no decrease in the score of invasive adenocarcinoma. The rates in the six regions differed significantly and were dependent on the degree of urbanization. Cervical screening using the Ayre spatula is not effective for detecting cervical adenocarcinomas.     

Epidemiologic characteristics of cervical cancer in Korean women

Cervical cancer is the most common female genital tract malignancy in Korean women. Although age-standardized cancer incidence rate of cervical cancer has decreased from 18.6 per 100,000 women in 1999 to 12.3 per 100,000 women in 2010 in Korea with widespread routine screening, several epidemiologic characteristics are still present. Incidence of cervical cancer still varies according to geographic area, and a significant portion of cases are detected at a locoregionally advanced stage, without significant improvement of five-year survival rate.2014-01-15 Cervical screening techniques such as the Pap smear should be the gold standard strategy to decrease incidence and to improve the survival outcomes of patients with cervical cancer. In addition, screening programs for cervical cancer should be designed, organized and directed within the context of a nationwide program for cancer control.     

Building the infrastructure for nationwide cancer surveillance and control--a comparison between the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR) and the Surveillance,Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program (United States)

Objective: In preparation for jointly publishing official government cancer statistics, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) compared incidence rates from NCI's Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program and CDC's National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR). Methods: Data for 1999 covering 78% of the US population were obtained from SEER and selected NPCR registries that met high quality data criteria. incidence rates (per 100,000 population) were age-adjusted to the 2000 US standard population, and 95% gamma confidence intervals were estimated Results: NPCR rates for all sites combined were higher than SEER rates (males: NPCR 553.6, SEER 538.7; females: NPCR 420.8, SEER 412.5), but rates for specific cancer sites varied by registry program. Rates for colon cancer (males: NPCR 47.0, SEER 42.7; females: NPCR 36.5, SEER 33.8) and tobacco-related cancers were higher in NPCR than SEER. In contrast, NPCR rates were lower than SEER rates for cancers of the female breaset (NPCR 134.0, SEER 135.9), prostate (NPCR 162.0, SEER 170.2), and melanoma as well as for cancers more common among Asians and Pacific Islanders (e.g., stomach cancer).Conclusions: Rate differences may arise from population difference in socio-demographic characteristics, screening use, health behaviors, exposure to cancer causing agents or registry operations factors.