LUNG-CANCER MORTALITY AMONG MALES OF CATALONIA AND SPAIN COMPARED WITH OTHER EUROPEAN COUNTRIES BETWEEN 1975-1977 AND 1987-1989

This study compares the lung cancer mortality rates among males in the years 1975-1977 and 1987-1989 in Catalonia and Spain with other Europ ean countries selected for their geographical proximity. Adjusted calc ulations using the direct method have been made for male lung cancer m ortality. Adjusted truncated rates for the age groups 0-44, 45-64 and more than 65 years were also calculated, as well as percent difference s between the mortality rates of each period studied. Lung cancer mort ality rates for males in Catalonia and Spain show relative increments of 46.58% and 52.41%, respectively. In contrast, lung cancer mortality in countries such as England-Wales and Switzerland have decreased. Mo reover, the 0-44 year age group in Catalonia and Spain shows the absol ute highest rates in the 1987-1989 period among all the countries anal yzed. The marked contrast of the lung cancer mortality rate evolution in Catalonia and Spain compared with some other European countries and the considerable increase of the mortality in younger age groups indi cate the need to intensify lung cancer control measures. (C) 1996 Wile y-Liss, Inc.