Age-specific incidence of cancer in Kingston and St Andrew, Jamaica, 1988-1992

ABSTRACT

During the period 1988 - 1992, a total of 4,030 malignant neoplasms were recorded in Kingston and St. Andrew, Jamaica. These comprised 1,829 males and 2,201 in females. Histological confirmation was obtained in 83.4 percent. The crude incidence rate for males was 128.5, and 136.2 for females. The age-standardized rates (ASR) were 179.9 for males and 166.1 for females. Age-specifics rates by site, sex and age are tabulated. Attention is drawn to increased incidence for cancers of prostate, larynx, bronchus and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in males. There was also an increase in female breast cancer (crude rate 36.0; ASR 47.1). Invasive cervix cancer has shown no significant change in incidence. Neoplasms of the body of the uterus have increased (crude rate 7.6; ASR 9.5). The rise in cancer of breast and body of uterus suggests that the influence of exogenous oestrogens should be considered (AU)