Incidence in Izmir in 1993-1994: first results from Izmir Cancer Registry

A population-based cancer registry, covering the province of Izmir (populat ion 2.7 million, 1993-1994) in Western Turkey was established in 1992. Resu lts for 1993-1994 are presented. Overall cancer incidence was higher in mal es than in females (age-standardised rates 157.5 and 94.0 per 100 000, resp ectively), as in previous non-population-based series. The principal cancer s in males were tobacco-related - lung (age-standardised incidence rate (AS R) 61.6), bladder (ASR 11.0) and larynx (ASR 10.6), consistent with the hig h prevalence of smoking, and use of traditional high-tar tobaccos. Skin can cers were also relatively common (ASR 11.5 for cancers excluding melanoma). Gastrointestinal cancers were relatively rare. In women. breast cancer was by far the most common malignancy (ASR 24.4); cervical cancer was relative ly rare (ASR 5.4). There is probably an underestimate of incidence. due to an inability to use data from certain sources (e.g. death certificates), re sulting in a rather high proportion of histologically verified cases (93.7% overall). Nevertheless, the overall profile is an accurate reflection of i ncidence in this region of Turkey and provides much of the information requ ired for planning strategies to control cancer. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science L td. All rights reserved.