title: [Prostate cancer in Denmark 1943-2002].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Previous studies in Denmark have reported an increase in prostate cancer (PC) incidence- and mortality rates. So far, it has not been possible to establish the rising incidence as a consequence of an increase in diagnostic procedures. This study reviews the trends in PC incidence and mortality rates in Denmark during the 60-year-period from 1943 to 2002.
  
  
  METHODS
  Register-based study.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The age-standardised (World Standard Population) rate of PC in Denmark increased from 11.4/100,00 in the period 1943-47 to 38.2/100,000 in the period 1998-2002. Mortality rate increased from 13.5/100,000 in 1953 to 19.1/100,000 in the period 1993-98. Within the last 10 years changes in age-distribution and clinical stage, especially among younger patients, indicate a shift towards a more active diagnostic policy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In concordance with other studies we found an increasing PC incidence. In the last 10-year-period studied from 1993 to 2002, our study found the rise in incidence most likely explained by an increase in diagnostic activity, presumably as unsystematic PSA-based "gray-zone screening". This development contrasts with the national recommendation for PSA-based screening for PC. The rising incidence will necessitate allocation of increased resources for evaluation, treatment, and follow-up of patients with PC.
authors.affiliation: Rigshospitalet, Urologisk Afdeling D.
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Brasso
authors.forename: Inga Jona
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Ingimarsdottir
authors.forename: Lars
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thomassen
authors.forename: Søren
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Friis
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Iversen
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D012042:Registries