Increased oesophageal cancer mortality rate in Iran.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The aim of this study is to present the mortality trends of oesophageal cancer (EC) in the Iranian population, to provide updated information regarding time trends for this cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analysed the national death statistics reported by the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education from 1995 to 2004. EC [International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9); C15] were expressed as the annual mortality rates/100000, overall, by sex and by age group (<15, 15-49 and ≥ 50 years of age) and age standardised rate (ASR). RESULTS: The age standardised mortality rate of EC increased dramatically during the study period. EC mortality was higher for males and the mortality rate also increased with age. CONCLUSION: This study provides a comprehensive projection for the burden of death due to EC, indicating that the trend of EC mortality dramatically increased in the recent decade.

History of upper gastrointestinal cancers in relatives: a community-based estimate.

AIM: The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of positive family history of these cancers in a large population-based sample of Tehran province, capital of Iran. BACKGROUND: Upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancers (gastric and esophagus cancer) constitute a major health problem worldwide. A family history of cancer can increase the risk for developing cancer and recognized as one of the most important risk factors in predicting personal cancer risk. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study designed as a cross-sectional survey in general population (2006-2007) of Tehran province. Totally 7,300 persons (age > = 20 years) sampled by random sampling on the basis of the list of postal, of whom 6,700 persons agreed to participate (response rate 92%). Respondents were asked if any first-degree (FDR) or second-degree (SDR) relatives had gastric or esophageal cancer. RESULTS: Totally, 6,453 respondents (48% male) entered to the study. The mean age of responders with positive FH was significantly higher than those with negative FH (P < 0.05). In total, 341 respondents (5.3%) reporting a history of UGI cancers in their relatives, 134(2.1%) in FDRs, and 207(3.2%) in SDRs. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that the reported prevalence of FH of UGI cancers was relatively low and varied by specific respondent characteristics such as age and sex. However, the estimates of prevalence presented here are likely to be conservative compared with actual prevalence because of self-reported data gathering.

Decreased trend of pancreatic cancer mortality in iran.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is a fatal cancer with a 5-year survival of only about 4% for all tumors. There are only published data on mortality from pancreas cancer and its epidemiology in Iran. The aim of this study was to present the mortality trends from pancreatic cancer for the Iranian population, using national death statistics in order to provide update information for its burden. METHODS: National Death Statistics reported by the Ministry of Health from 1999 to 2004 stratified by age group, sex, and cause of death were included in the analysis to generate pancreas cancer (ICD-10; 25) annual mortality rates/100,000, overall, by sex and by age group (< 15, 15-49 and ≥ 50 years of age) and age-standardized rates (ASRs). RESULTS: The age standardized mortality rate of pancreatic cancer decreased slightly during the years under study. Values were higher for males and increased with age. CONCLUSION: This study provides a projection of burden of death due to pancreatic cancer for Iran, indicating that the trend of its mortality is decreasing and may be leveling off in recent years.