Premium
The annual report to the nation on the status of cancer, 1973–1997, with a special section on colorectal cancer
Author(s) -
Ries Lynn A. G.,
Wingo Phyllis A.,
Miller Daniel S.,
Howe Holly L.,
Weir Hannah K.,
Rosenberg Harry M.,
Ver Sally W.,
Cronin Kathleen,
Edwards Brenda K.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-0142(20000515)88:10<2398::aid-cncr26>3.0.co;2-i
Subject(s) - medicine , colorectal cancer , incidence (geometry) , cancer , demography , epidemiology , mortality rate , cancer prevention , cancer incidence , behavioral risk factor surveillance system , disease , gerontology , environmental health , population , physics , sociology , optics
BACKGROUND This annual report to the nation addresses progress in cancer prevention and control in the U.S. with a special section on colorectal cancer. This report is the joint effort of the American Cancer Society, the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR), and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). METHODS Age‐adjusted rates were based on cancer incidence data from the NCI and NAACCR and underlying cause of death as compiled by NCHS. Joinpoint analysis was based on NCI Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program incidence rates and NCHS death rates for 1973–1997. The prevalence of screening examinations for colorectal cancer was obtained from the CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and the NCHS's National Health Interview Survey. RESULTS Between 1990–1997, overall cancer incidence and death rates declined. Joinpoint analyses of cancer incidence and death rates confirmed the declines described in earlier reports. The incidence trends for colorectal cancer have shown recent steep declines for whites in contrast to a leveling off of the rates for blacks. State‐to‐state variations occurred in colorectal cancer screening prevalence as well as incidence and death rates. CONCLUSIONS The continuing declines in overall cancer incidence and death rates are encouraging. However, a few of the top ten incidence or mortality cancer sites continued to increase or remained level. For many cancer sites, whites had lower incidence and mortality rates than blacks but higher rates than Hispanics, Asian and Pacific Islanders, and American Indians/Alaska Natives. The variations in colorectal cancer incidence and death rates by race/ethnicity, gender, age, and geographic area may be related to differences in risk factors, demographic characteristics, screening, and medical practice. New efforts currently are underway to increase awareness of screening benefits and treatment for colorectal cancer. Cancer 2000;88:2398–424. © 2000 American Cancer Society.