title: Geographical comparisons of cancer survival indicators.
abstract: Cancer survival statistics are needed by health authorities (HAs) to develop local policies and manage resources optimally. Methodological issues can affect the interpretation of these and similar statistics. More reliable indicators of cancer survival are obtained by using regional life tables, rather than a single national life table, to take into account background mortality. As cancer survival varies widely with age, age standardisation is required to improve the comparability of survival rates in cancer patient groups with different age structures. The standards based on cases diagnosed in England and Wales during 1986-1990 provide valuable continuity with earlier published results. Estimates of annual rates of change in survival (based on linear regression) together with their statistical significance, give reliable indications of trends.
authors.affiliation: London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
authors.forename: Bernard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rachet
authors.forename: Michaël
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riga
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mitry
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romanengo
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Quinn
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cooper
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Coleman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002391:Catchment Area, Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015993:Life Tables; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009313:National Health Programs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality*; D012015:Reference Standards; D016019:Survival Analysis; D015996:Survival Rate / Q000639:trends; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology