Cancer incidence and incidence rates in Japan in 1996: estimates based on data from 10 population-based cancer registries.

Abstract

The Research Group for Population-based Cancer Registration in Japan estimated cancer incidence in Japan in 1996 based on data from 10 population-based cancer registries: Miyagi, Yamagata, Kanagawa, Niigata, Fukui, Osaka, Tottori, Hiro- shima City, Saga and Nagasaki. The methods of estimation and its limitations are explained in previous papers (1-3). The number of incidences, crude rates, age-standardized rates and completeness of registration in 1996 are shown in Table 1 and the age-specific number of incidences and the rates are shown in Tables 2 and 3 according to sex and primary site. The number of incidences for 1996 was estimated as 473 000. The time trends of age-standardized incidence rates for major sites in 1975-96 standardized to the world population are shown in Fig. 1 and those standardized to the 1985 Japanese model pop- ulation are shown in Fig. 2. The leading site in age-standard- ized incidence rate was stomach for males and breast for females in both Figs 1a nd 2. Estimated cancer incidence data in Japan by sex, site, five- year age group and calendar year during the period 1975-96 are now available on a Web-site on Homepage of the Month (http://www.iph.pref.osaka.jp/omc/ocr/) or by correspondence with the principal investigator of the Research Group (Dr A. Oshima).