The incidence and patterns of lung cancers in Sri Lanka from 2001 to 2010: Analysis of national cancer registry data.

Abstract

Epidemiological studies carried out on lung cancer have shown varying incidence patterns in Asia. We aimed to examine the trends in lung cancer incidence and patterns in Sri Lanka. All newly diagnosed lung cancer patients in Sri Lanka during 2001-2010 included in the National Cancer Registry were analysed. Trends in incidence were analysed using the Joinpoint regression software. A total of 8482 lung cancer patients (males=6831, 80.5%, mean age: 60.2years) were analysed. The WHO age-standardised incidence rate (ASR) has increased from 3.77 per 100,000 in 2001 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 3.47-4.07) to 5.74 per 100,000 in 2010 (95% CI: 5.38-6.09; a 1.52-fold increase (p<0.05 for trend), with an estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) of 5.4 (95% CI: 3.9-7.0). The proportional increase in incidence was higher for females [ASR: 1.2 to 2.3, EAPC=6.8(95% CI: 4.0-9.7)] than males [ASR: 6.6 to 9.55, EAPC=5.2(95% CI: 3.8-6.6)] and with similar patterns. In Sri Lanka, the incidence of lung cancer has shown as increasing trend with a greater proportional rise in females. Although the observed trends could be partly due to better reporting, the greater increase in females who are generally non-smokers is intriguing. Further studies are required to identify reasons for observed incidence trends in lung cancer in Sri Lanka.