(HealthDay News) — Prostate cancer incidence and mortality rates are decreasing or stabilizing in most countries, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research, held from March 29 to April 3 in Atlanta.
MaryBeth Freeman, MPH, and Ahmedin Jemal, DVM, PhD, from the American Cancer Society in Atlanta, and colleagues used the most recent cancer incidence data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer and mortality data from the World Health Organization to update prostate cancer incidence and mortality patterns across 5 continents.
During the most recent 5 years, the researchers found the highest incidence rates in Brazil, Lithuania, and Australia, while the lowest incidence rates were found in Asia (India, Thailand, and Bahrain). The Caribbean, sub-Saharan Africa, and parts of the former Soviet Union had the highest mortality rates, while the lowest rates were seen in Asia (Thailand and Turkmenistan). Of the 44 countries with high-quality incidence data, 4 countries had increases in prostate cancer incidence rates during the most recent 5 data years; decreases were seen in 7 countries, and the remaining 33 countries had stable rates. Among the 71 countries considered for mortality trends, decreases in rates were seen in 14 countries and increases were seen in 3 countries, while the rates in 54 countries remained stable.
Continue Reading
“By comparing rates from different countries, we can assess differences in detection practices and improvements in treatment,” Freeman said in a statement.
Reference