1085 Lung cancer epidemic in Russia

Abstract

Lung cancer is by far the most frequent cancer cause of death in Russia. One-third of all male cancer deaths are due to lung cancer. In males high risk areas with age-standardized incidence rates (world standard population) per 100,000 person-years (ASIR) being higher than 90.0 are scattered across Northern Russia, Oural, South-West and Far-East Siberia. ASIR ranging from 90.0 to 120.0 are recorded in more than twenty cities and large towns. Lung cancer incidence rates in women are not very high, a very similar situation to that in most other countries. High risk areas, ASIR ranging from 15.0 to 26.0 are in East- and Far-East Siberia. In large cities and towns with very high rates of lung cancermale/female ratios of incidence range between 4.0 and 17.0, while in most areas urban/rural ratio for both male and female is about 1.0–1.5. 94% of lung cancer death in males and 48% in females in Russia are attributed to smoking. Prevalence of smoking in males have reached in some areas 70–80% and has leveled, while smoking in women is increasing. This trend predicts that the epidemic of lung cancer in women will probably reach in Russia the same size as in men.