Epidemiology of lung cancer in Sardinia, Italy, from 1980 to 1996.
METHODS
Bronchial carcinoma is the most common cause of death among all malignant tumours. Despite a progressive increase, many Italian regions--ours included--do not have a Regional Cancer Registry.


OBJECTIVE
To assess lung cancer incidence and mortality rates in Sardinia during the period 1980-1996.


METHODS
Data were gathered by consulting hospital registers and the case notes of individual patients released from hospital with a diagnosis of bronchial carcinoma at all Sardinian medical centres between 1980 and 1996.


RESULTS
A total of 7734 patients with lung cancer were registered in Sardinia between 1980 and 1996. Data showed a steady increase in lung cancer incidence rates over the years (from 22.3/100000 in 1980 to 34.5 in 1996). The same increase was evident in mortality rates (from 25.7/100000 in 1980 to 42.9 in 1996). The increase in mortality rates was higher in women (+146%) than in men (+59.5%).


CONCLUSIONS
Results show a slow but steady increase in lung cancer incidence and mortality rates in Sardinia. The high number of smokers among lung cancer patients seems to indicate that anti-smoking campaigns need to be more effective in Sardinia.
Pirina
P
P
Department of Respiratory Disease, University of Sassari, Sassari, Italy. pirina@uniss.it
Ostera
S
S
Santoru
L
L
Ginesu
G C
GC
Fois
A G
AG
Deiola
G
G
Sardu
M V
MV
Padua
G
G
Ginesu
F
F
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002283:Carcinoma, Bronchogenic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology