TRENDS OF COLORECTAL-CANCER INCIDENCE AND PREVALENCE IN ITALIAN REGIONS

Incidence and prevalence of tumors of colon and rectum, estimated from mortality and survival data, are presented for Italian regions and fo r the period 1970-1990. Projected rates to the year 2000 are also give n. Age-standardized incidence rates have increased during the consider ed period. The increase has been higher for southern regions, which ha d, during the 70's, the lowest incidence and mortality levels. Geograp hic heterogeneity of colorectal cancer occurrence across Italian regio ns is therefore decreasing. The phenomenon parallels a tendency toward s the homogenization of dietary habits observed in the Italian populat ion. Estimated incidence levels increased less for the younger generat ion and appear stable for people born after 1940. More than 150,000 pr evalent cases were estimated by the year 1990. The number is likely to increase owing to the simultaneous increasing tendency in incidence a nd survival rates.