Population-based cancer survival in Singapore, 1968 to 1992: An overview

The Singapore Cancer Registry has provided comprehensive population-based i ncidence data since 1968, This paper describes the population-based surviva l analysis of the registry data. All invasive primary cancers diagnosed fro m January 1, 1968 to December 31, 1992 were passively followed up until Dec ember 31, 1997. Only 5.8% were lost to follow-up. Cumulative and observed s urvival rates were calculated using Hakulinen's method. Overall 5-year rela tive survival rates have increased dramatically over the 25-year period in both genders. Significant increases are seen with nasopharynx, stomach and colo-rectum cancers, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, leukemias and cancers of the t estis, cervix, ovaries and breast. When compared with the Surveillance, Epi demiology and End Results (SEER) rates in the United States, the 5-year rel ative survival rates in Singapore are generally lower, However, the rate of change between the two countries is fairly similar. On the average, the ra tes are IO to 15 years behind the SEER rates and 5 to 10 years behind Finla nd, Switzerland and Japan, but they are close to the UK rates. The age-stan dardized 5-year survival rate for Singapore is higher for most sites compar ed with other developing countries like Qidong (China), Madras (India), Bom bay (India) and Chiang Mai (Thailand), The 25-year trend in cancer survival in Singapore showed two extreme groups: those showing no change and those showing significant improvements. Reducing the incidence of cancers belongi ng to the first group remains the only viable mode of cancer control. For c ancers in the second group, improvement in survival is due to a combination of successful early detection measures and effective treatment services in Singapore. (C) 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.