Longitudinal gompertzian analysis of mortality from prostate cancer in Japan, 1955-1996

The purpose of this study was to determine whether prostate cancer mortalit y conforms to gompertzian analysis and, if so, what conclusions can be made regarding increasing prostate cancer mortality in Japan by the application of longitudinal gompertzian analysis. Data regarding 77,492 prostate cance r deaths reported during the period 1955 to 1996 were obtained from death c ertificate records in Japan. Age-adjusted prostate cancer mortality rates i ncreased 6.4-fold during that period. The changing patterns in the mortalit y rate was explained by a constantly increasing number of elderly people. A ge-specific mortality rate distributions between the ages of 50 and 84 year s were highly gompertzian for each year during that period. The environment al factor for prostate cancer mortality increased 80% for that period. Gomp ertzian analysis suggests that rising mortality from prostate cancer may be related to rapidly changing lifestyles among Japanese. Intake of animal pr oteins was the most strongly correlated parameter considered with the morta lity from prostate cancer.