Showing papers by "Freddie Bray published in 2010"

Estimates of worldwide burden of cancer in 2008: GLOBOCAN 2008.

Abstract: Estimates of the worldwide incidence and mortality from 27 cancers in 2008 have been prepared for 182 countries as part of the GLOBOCAN series published by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. In this article, we present the results for 20 world regions, summarizing the global patterns for the eight most common cancers. Overall, an estimated 12.7 million new cancer cases and 7.6 million cancer deaths occur in 2008, with 56% of new cancer cases and 63% of the cancer deaths occurring in the less developed regions of the world. The most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide are lung (1.61 million, 12.7% of the total), breast (1.38 million, 10.9%) and colorectal cancers (1.23 million, 9.7%). The most common causes of cancer death are lung cancer (1.38 million, 18.2% of the total), stomach cancer (738,000 deaths, 9.7%) and liver cancer (696,000 deaths, 9.2%). Cancer is neither rare anywhere in the world, nor mainly confined to high-resource countries. Striking differences in the patterns of cancer from region to region are observed.

NORDCAN - A Nordic tool for cancer information, planning, quality control and research

Abstract: The NORDCAN database and program (www.ancr.nu) include detailed information and results on cancer incidence, mortality and prevalence in each of the Nordic countries over fi ve decades and has lately been supplemented with predictions of cancer incidence and mortality; future extensions include the incorporation of cancer survival estimates. Material and methods . The data originates from the national cancer registries and causes of death registries in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Faroe Islands and is regularly updated. Presently 41 cancer entities are included in the common dataset, and conversions of the original national data according to international rules ensure comparability. Results. With 25 million inhabitants in the Nordic countries, 130 000 incident cancers are reported yearly, alongside nearly 60 000 cancer deaths, with almost a million persons living with a cancer diagnosis. This web-based application is available in English and in each of the fi ve Nordic national languages. It includes comprehensive and easy-to-use descriptive epidemiology tools that provide tabulations and graphs, with further user-specifi ed options available. Discussion. The NORDCAN database aims to provide comparable and timely data to serve the varying needs of policy makers, cancer societies, the public, and journalists, as well as the clinical and research community.

Fifty years of cancer incidence: CI5 I-IX.

Abstract: The Cancer Incidence in Five Continents (CI5) series comprises nine volumes that bring together peer-reviewed results from population-based cancer registries worldwide. The aim of each is to make available comparable data on cancer incidence from as wide a range of geographical locations as possible. In addition, the existence of long time series of data allows the evolution of risk in different populations over time to be studied. The CI5 I-IX database brings together the results from all nine volumes, spanning a period of some 50 years. In addition, unpublished annual data, with more diagnostic detail, are made available for many cancer registries with 15 or more years of recent data. We describe the construction and composition of the CI5 databases, and provide examples of how they can be used to prepare tables and graphs comparing incidence rates between populations. This is the classical role of descriptive statistics: to allow formulation of hypotheses that might explain the observed differences (geographically, over time, in population subgroups) and that can be tested by further study. Such statistics are also essential components in the planning and evaluation of cancer control programmes.

Clinical Relevance of Conditional Survival of Cancer Patients in Europe: Age-Specific Analyses of 13 Cancers

Abstract: Purpose When cancer survivors wish to receive accurate information on their current prognosis during follow-up, conditional 5-year relative survival may be most suitable. We have estimated conditional 5-year relative survival for 13 cancers using a large European database—European Network for Indicators on Cancer (EUNICE)—of 10 dedicated long-standing cancer registries across Europe. Patients and Methods Patients age 15 years and older diagnosed between 1985 and 2004 were included. Conditional 5-year relative survival for each age group was computed for every additional year survived up to 10 years. Period analysis with follow-up period 2000 to 2004 was used. Results All patients with cutaneous melanoma or colorectal, endometrial, or testis cancer and younger patients with stomach, glottis, cervix, ovary, or thyroid cancer or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma exhibited hardly any excess mortality (conditional 5-year relative survival > 95%) given that they were alive at a defined time point within 10 years of initia...

Lung cancer mortality trends in 36 European countries: secular trends and birth cohort patterns by sex and region 1970-2007.

Abstract: Smoking is a major contributor to all-cause mortality in Europe and accounts for one-fifth of the cancer-related deaths. Monitoring the tobacco epidemic via an analysis of lung cancer trends is essential in helping countries arrest the effects of tobacco epidemic in the region. The study aims to provide a comprehensive and up-to-date overview of the temporal patterns of lung cancer mortality in Europe, emphasizing country- and sex-specific differences. National lung cancer mortality data were extracted from the WHO mortality databank by age, sex, year of death (1970–2007) for 36 countries in Europe. Trends in lung cancer mortality in men have tended to decrease in many European countries during the last two decades, particularly in North and Western Europe. Among women, mortality rates are still increasing in many countries, although in a few populations, rates are beginning to stabilize, notably in the high-risk countries within Eastern Europe (Hungary, Poland and the Czech Republic), and in Northern Europe (Denmark, Iceland and the United Kingdom). Men and women are clearly in very different phases of the smoking epidemic, and, as reflected in the mortality rates by birth cohort, the stage varies widely by country within each European region. That lung cancer mortality trends in men are on a downwards path in most European countries while female rates continue to rise, points to an urgent need for national and European prevention strategies that target tobacco cessation and prevention among European women.

Trends in survival of patients diagnosed with cancer of the digestive organs in the Nordic countries 1964-2003 followed up to the end of 2006

Abstract: Cancers of the digestive organs (including the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum and anus, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas) constitute one-fifth of all cancer cases in the Nordic countries and is a group of diseases with diverse time trends and varying consequences for public health. In this study we examine trends in relative survival in relation to the corresponding incidence and mortality rates in the Nordic countries during the period 1964–2003. Material and methods. Data were retrieved from the NORDCAN database for the period 1964 to 2003, grouped into eight 5-year periods of diagnosis. The patients were followed up until the end of 2006. Analysis comprised trends in 5-year relative survival, excess mortality and age-specific relative survival. Results. Survival following cancers of the colon and rectum has increased continuously over the observed period, yet Danish patients fall behind those in the other Nordic countries. The largest inter-country variation is seen for the...

National comparisons of lung cancer survival in England, Norway and Sweden 2001-2004: differences occur early in follow-up

Abstract: BACKGROUND Countries with a similar expenditure on healthcare within Europe exhibit differences in lung cancer survival. Survival in lung cancer was studied in 2001-2004 in England, Norway and Sweden. METHODS Nationwide cancer registries in England, Norway and Sweden were used to identify 250 828 patients with lung cancer from England, 18 386 from Norway and 24 886 from Sweden diagnosed between 1996 and 2004, after exclusion of patients registered through death certificate only or with missing, zero or negative survival times. 5-Year relative survival was calculated by application of the period approach. The excess mortality between the countries was compared using a Poisson regression model. RESULTS In all subcategories of age, sex and follow-up period, the 5-year survival was lower in England than in Norway and Sweden. The age-standardised survival estimates were 6.5%, 9.3% and 11.3% for men and 8.4%, 13.5% and 15.9% for women in the respective countries in 2001-2004. The difference in excess risk of dying between the countries was predominantly confined to the first year of follow-up. The relative excess risk ratio during the first 3 months of follow-up comparing England with Norway 2001-2004 varied between 1.23 and 1.46, depending on sex and age, and between 1.56 and 1.91 comparing England with Sweden. CONCLUSION Access to healthcare and population awareness are likely to be major reasons for the differences, but it cannot be excluded that diagnostic and therapeutic activity play a role. Future improvements in lung cancer management may be seen early in follow-up.

Trends in the survival of patients diagnosed with cancer in female genital organs in the Nordic countries 1964-2003 followed up to the end of 2006

Abstract: Cancers of the female genital organs constitute more than 12% of all female cancers in the Nordic countries. The group includes cervix uteri, corpus uteri, ovary and other female genital organs including vulva and vagina, and in this study we compare the development in the Nordic countries regarding incidence, mortality and relative survival. Material and methods. Data were retrieved from the NORDCAN database for the period 1964 to 2003, grouped into eight 5-year periods. The patients were followed up until the end of 2006. Analyses comprised trends in 5-year relative survival, excess mortality and age-specific relative survival. Results. A substantial reduction of cervical cancer incidence followed the introduction of population-based screening in the 1970s and was also accompanied by a modest improvement in survival. Incidence trends in cancer of corpus uteri varied between the countries but the survival increased by around 20 percentage points during the study period in all countries. Ovarian c...

Trends in colorectal cancer incidence in Norway 1962–2006: an interpretation of the temporal patterns by anatomic subsite

Abstract: There have been rapid increases in the incidence of colorectal cancer in Norway since the 1960s, and rates rank among the highest worldwide The primary objectives are to describe trends in left- and right-sided colon cancer and rectal cancer by calendar period and birth cohort and to generate hypotheses as to the etiological factors in operation Although the age-adjusted incidence rates of both colon and rectal cancer increased in Norway in both sexes up to the 1980s, subsite- and age-specific analyses reveal a deceleration in the rate of increase thereafter, apparent in the rates of both left-sided colon and rectal cancer Overall trends in incidence of right-sided colon cancer continue to increase in both sexes Rates in both left- and right-sided colon cancers have tended to stabilize or decrease among successive generations born after 1950, however, while incidence rates of rectal cancer appear to be increasing in recent generations The all-ages rates are thus in keeping with the commonly reported "left to right shift" of colon cancer, although standardization masks important observations The cohort patterns provide further evidence that factors earlier in life are important, and while the complex etiology makes interpretation difficult, modifications in diet, obesity and physical activity in Norway are likely among the drivers of the trends in one or more of the colorectal subsites examined In summary, the recent downturn in the disease at younger ages provides some reason for optimism, although possible increases in rectal cancer among recent birth cohorts are of concern

Trends in the survival of patients diagnosed with breast cancer in the Nordic countries 1964–2003 followed up to the end of 2006

Abstract: Background. Breast cancer is the leading cancer among women worldwide in terms of both incidence and mortality. European patients have generally high 5-year relative survival ratios, and the Nordic countries, except for Denmark, have ratios among the highest. Material and methods. Based on the NORDCAN database we present trends in age-standardised incidence and mortality rates of invasive breast cancer in the Nordic countries, alongside 5- and 10-year relative survival for the period of diagnosis 1964–2003 followed up to the end of 2006. Excess mortality rates are also provided for varying follow-up intervals after diagnosis. The analysis is confined to invasive breast cancer in Nordic women. Results. Incidence increased rapidly in all five countries, whereas mortality remained almost unchanged. Both incidence and mortality rates were highest in Denmark. Between 1964 and 2003 both 5- and 10-year relative survival increased by 20–30 percentage points in all countries, and 10-year survival remained ...

Survival of patients diagnosed with cancer in the Nordic countries up to 1999–2003 followed to the end of 2006. A critical overview of the results

Abstract: Differences in Nordic cancer patient survival observed today originate from the 1970s, but were first identified in a mortality prediction from 1995. This paper provides timely comparisons of survival using NORDCAN, a database with comparable information from the Nordic cancer registries. Elucidation of the differences is important when monitoring cancer care generally and evaluating the impact of cancer plans. Material and methods. The NORDCAN database 1964–2003 with follow-up for death through 2006, was used to analyse incidence, mortality, and survival for all NORDCAN cancer sites. We analysed 5-year relative survival and excess mortality rates in the first three months and 2–5 years after diagnosis. Results. The time trends in survival 1989–2003 were largely similar between the Nordic countries with increases in 14 sites among men and 16 among women. In all countries the excess mortality rates were highest in the first three months after diagnosis, but decreased to similar levels across all co...

Breast cancer survival in England, Norway and Sweden: a population-based comparison.

Abstract: Several international studies have found that survival from breast cancer is lower in the United Kingdom than in some other European countries. We have compared breast cancer survival between the national populations of England, Norway and Sweden, with a view to identifying subsets of patients with particularly good or adverse survival outcomes. We extracted cases of breast cancer in women diagnosed 1996-2004 from the national cancer registries of the 3 countries. The study comprised 303,657 English cases, 24,919 Norwegian cases and 57,512 cases from Sweden. Follow-up was in 2001-2004. The main outcome measures were 5-year cumulative relative survival and excess death rates, stratified by age and period of follow-up. In comparison with Norway and Sweden, the excess mortality in England was particularly pronounced in the first month and in the first year after diagnosis, and generally more marked in the oldest age groups. Compared with Norwegian patients, 81% of the excess deaths in the English patients occurred in the first 2 years after diagnosis. Our findings emphasise the importance of awareness of symptoms and early detection as the main strategy to improve breast cancer survival in the United Kingdom.

Trends in the survival of patients diagnosed with malignant melanoma of the skin in the Nordic countries 1964-2003 followed up to the end of 2006.

Abstract: A previous Nordic study showed a marked and steady increase in the age-adjusted 5-year relative survival of skin melanoma patients diagnosed during the period 1958 through 1987. Males had considerably poorer survival than females. Material and methods Using the NORDCAN database, we studied relative survival and excess mortality of patients diagnosed with melanoma of the skin in the Nordic countries 1964-2003 followed up to the end of 2006. These were contrasted with concomitant trends in incidence and mortality. Results The overall incidence of melanoma almost quadrupled, but there was considerable variation in the trends in the five countries. Mortality was low but doubled during the study period. Survival ratios increased steadily to between 80% and 90% for patients diagnosed in 1999-2003. Swedish patients had consistently higher survival, whereas Danish patients had the highest excess death rates the first three months after diagnosis up until 1990, but thereafter, rates reached a similar low level to that observed in the other Nordic countries. The survival of Nordic women is still higher than that of men, but the difference has diminished, while the mortality rates among men are becoming increasingly higher relative to those for women among individuals 50 years and older. In younger individuals, mortality rates are similar in the two sexes, and declining. Conclusions Nordic patient survival following melanoma diagnosis is generally high and has been steadily increasing in the last decades. Differences in incidence between the five countries are more pronounced than the differences in survival. The strong upward trends in incidence and survival may mainly be the result of extensive changes in sunbathing habits or other UV exposure and, more recently, of an increasing awareness by the medical community and the public concerning early detection of melanoma of the skin.

Endometrial cancer incidence trends in Norway during 1953-2007 and predictions for 2008-2027

Abstract: Endometrial cancer is the most common cancer of the female genital tract in Western countries. Monitoring the incidence is important for health care planning and the identification of risk factors. We present an age-period-cohort analysis of incidence trends of endometrial cancer in Norway from 1953 to 2007 and compare the incidence trends with those in 3 other Nordic countries. Based on the observed trends, we have predicted endometrial cancer rates in Norway in 2015 and 2025. In women at postmenopausal age (≥55 years), the annual incidence increase was 2.1% (95% CI: 0.9%, 3.4%) from 1988 to 1997 and 1.7% (95% CI: 0.6%, 2.8%) from 1998 to 2007. In younger women, there was an annual reduction of 0.6% (95% CI: -2.3%, 2.2%) from 1988 to 1997, followed by an annual increase of 1.7% (95% CI: -0.4%, 3.9%) from 1998 to 2007. The secular changes are likely to reflect both cohort and period effects. Our prediction estimates by 2025 suggest an incidence increase in the range of 50 to 100%, relative to the observed incidence in 2005. There has been a strong and consistent incidence increase in endometrial cancer in the Nordic countries over the last 50 years. The increase has been most pronounced in postmenopausal women, but in the last decade, rates have increased also in women younger than 55 years. The prediction for the next 20 years suggests that endometrial cancer rates will dramatically increase unless effective preventive strategies are implemented.

Trends in survival of patients diagnosed with male genital cancers in the Nordic countries 1964-2003 followed up until the end of 2006.

Abstract: Background. Prostate, testicular and penile cancer constitute about one-third of the cancer incidence burden among Nordic males, but less than one-fifth of the corresponding mortality. The aim of this study is to describe and interpret trends in relative survival and excess mortality in the five Nordic populations. Material and methods. Age-standardised incidence and mortality rates, 5-year relative survival, and excess mortality rates for varying follow-up periods are presented, as are age-specific 5-year relative survival by country, sex and 5-year diagnostic period. Results. The vast majority of male genital cancer incident cases and deaths are prostate cancers, with 5-year and 10-year survival trends resembling the diagnostic-led increasing incidence over the past 25 years. Five-year prostate cancer survival is estimated at 53% in Denmark compared to 78% or above in the other Nordic populations for patients diagnosed 1999–2003. Excess mortality has declined over time, with Denmark having a gre...

Trends in the survival of patients diagnosed with cancer in the Nordic countries 1964–2003 followed up to the end of 2006. Material and methods

Abstract: Comparable data on cancer incidence and mortality in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden are available for analysis through a collaboration of the national Cancer Registries via the NORDCAN website (http://ancr.nu). In the continued spirit of Nordic collaborative research, a number of studies examining trends in cancer survival are published in this journal. Material and methods. The data were divided into eight 5-year periods by sex in five Nordic countries. Age-standardised 5-year relative survival ratios and excess mortality rates in the short-term (first month and 1–3 months following diagnosis), and the long-term (2–5 years after diagnosis) were calculated, as were age-specific 5-year relative survival using cohort-survival methods. A hybrid method combining the cohort and period methods was used for the period 1999–2003 as not all patients were followed for five years. Age-standardisation used the International Cancer Survival Standard, and calculation of expected deaths used count...

Trends in the survival of patients diagnosed with malignant neoplasms of lymphoid, haematopoietic, and related tissue in the Nordic countries 1964–2003 followed up to the end of 2006

Abstract: Background. Hodgkin lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and acute and other leukaemias constitute about 7% of the overall cancer incidence and 8% of cancer mortality in the Nordic countries. The aim of this study is to describe and interpret the trends in relative survival and excess mortality in the five Nordic populations among these patients. Material and methods. Using the NORDCAN database 1964–2003, we estimated age-standardised incidence and mortality rates, 5-year relative survival, and excess mortality rates for varying follow-up periods, and age-specific 5-year relative survival by country, sex, and 5-year diagnostic period. Results. Taking into account classification and registration problems in the earlier periods, the patterns of incidence, mortality, and survival are fairly similar between the countries within each cancer form studied. High 5-year relative survival ratios of over 80% were seen in the most recent period 1999–2003 for Hodgkin lymphoma, between 50 and 60% f...

Time trends in pharyngeal cancer incidence in Norway 1981–2005: a subsite analysis based on a reabstraction and recoding of registered cases

Abstract: Objective Incidence rates of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) have been reported to be increasing in several countries in recent decades, contrasting with trends of SCCs diagnosed in neighboring anatomical sites. We investigated whether changes in classification systems and/or coding/registration practices might explain the trends in Norway, focusing on changes in oropharyngeal cancer.

Trends in the survival of patients diagnosed with cancers of the lip, oral cavity, and pharynx in the Nordic countries 1964-2003 followed up to the end of 2006.

Abstract: Background. This is the first comprehensive population-based study on relative survival of lip, oral cavity and pharyngeal cancer in the Nordic countries. Material and methods. Relative survival of patients with cancers of the lip, oral cavity, and pharynx diagnosed in the Nordic countries in 1964–2003 and followed up to the end of 2006 was studied and contrasted with trends in incidence and mortality. Results. There are marked differences in incidence between countries and over time. The stability of the relative survival ratios gives support to the hypothesis that the incidence differences are more likely to be real and not materially affected by differences in definitions and coding. Of particular note are the steep rises in pharyngeal cancer incidence in Denmark in both sexes. Survival has only moderately improved over time and has tended to be slightly higher in females than males. Conclusions. Co-morbidity caused by smoking and high alcohol consumption are likely to be partially responsible ...

Epidemiology of pancreatic cancer in Norway: trends in incidence, basis of diagnosis and survival 1965-2007.

Abstract: Objective. Pancreatic cancer is the second most frequent gastrointestinal cancer in the Western world. Few reports on concomitant trends in pancreatic cancer incidence, diagnosis, mortality and survival exist at the national level. This study provides a baseline overview of the temporal patterns in these four indicators over the past four decades in Norway. Material and methods. We analysed trends in incidence, basis of diagnosis, relative survival and mortality from the Cancer Registry of Norway for the period 1965–2007. Results. Included were 21,663 patients with pancreatic cancers. Incidence and mortality rates remained at around 6–8 per 100,000 over the study period. Diagnoses based on clinical examination alone dropped from 12.5% (in the 1950s) to 30%. Previously high rates of autopsy-verified diagnosis and non-therapeutic surgery decreased accordingly. Consistently more primary tumours (from 12.9...

Trends in survival of patients diagnosed with cancers of the brain and nervous system, thyroid, eye, bone, and soft tissues in the Nordic countries 1964–2003 followed up until the end of 2006

Abstract: Background. Diagnoses of cancer of the brain, thyroid, eye, bone, and soft tissues are categorised by heterogeneity in disease frequency, survival, aetiology and prospects for curative therapy. In this paper, temporal trends in patient survival in the Nordic countries are considered. Material and methods. Age-standardised incidence and mortality rates, 5-year relative survival, and excess mortality rates for varying follow-up periods are presented, as are age-specific 5-year relative survival by country, sex and 5-year diagnostic period. Results. Brain cancer incidence rates have been rising but mortality has been relatively stable, with 5-year survival uniformly increasing from the early-1970s, particularly in younger patients. Five-year survival from brain cancer among men varies between 45% and 50% for men and 60% to 70% in women, with excess deaths decreasing with time in each of the Nordic populations. Age-standardised incidence rates of thyroid cancer have been mainly increasing during the 1...

Trends in the survival of patients diagnosed with cancers in the respiratory system in the Nordic countries 1964-2003 followed up to the end of 2006

Abstract: Background. Previous studies have shown that there have been systematic differences between the Nordic countries in population-based relative survival of patients with respiratory cancer (lung, pleura, larynx, nose and sinuses). Material and methods. Relative survival of patients with respiratory cancer diagnosed in the Nordic countries in 1964–2003 and followed up to the end of 2006 was studied and contrasted with developments in incidence and mortality. Results. For cancer of the lung, relative survival is lower in Danish patients than in the other countries during the first months of follow-up after diagnosis. For cancer of pleura, the relative survival ratios indicate that there may be problems in the official coding of the causes of death in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. There has been little improvement in survival of patients with cancer of the respiratory organs in the Nordic countries over time. Conclusions. The slightly lower survival of Danish lung cancer patients may be related to a less...

Trends in the overall survival of cancer patients diagnosed 1964-2003 in the Nordic countries followed up to the end of 2006: the importance of case-mix.

Abstract: Aim. Overall survival after cancer is frequently used when assessing the health care service performance as a whole. While used by the public, politicians, and the media, it is often discarded by clinicians and epidemiologists due to the heterogeneous mix of different cancers, risk factors and treatment modalities. We studied the trend in the Nordic 5-year relative survival and excess mortality for all cancers combined to see if the impact of case-mix and variations between countries in diagnostic methods such as breast screening and PSA testing could explain the lower survival in Denmark. Material and methods. From the NORDCAN database 1964–2003, we defined two cohorts of cancer patients, one excluding non-melanoma skin cancer and another also excluding breast and prostate cancer. We estimated age-standardised incidence and mortality rates, 5-year relative survival, and excess mortality rates for varying follow-up periods, and age-specific 5-year relative survival by country, sex and 5-year diagn...

Trends in the survival of patients diagnosed with kidney or urinary bladder cancer in the Nordic countries 1964-2003 followed up to the end of 2006.

Abstract: Background. Previous studies have shown systematic differences between the Nordic Countries in population-based relative survival following a kidney or urinary bladder cancer diagnosis. Comparison of bladder cancer over time and between Nordic registries is complicated by variable coding practices with respect to the inclusion of in situ cases with invasive tumours. Material and methods. Five-year relative survival of patients with urinary cancer diagnosed in the Nordic countries 1964–2003 and followed up for death through 2006 was studied and contrasted with developments in incidence and mortality. Results. The survival following bladder cancer was higher than for kidney cancer and highest for men. Survival increased over the years in all countries, more for kidney cancer than bladder cancer. For Danish kidney cancer patients, the rate of increase over all the years has been lower than in the other countries, especially among women, resulting in a survival in Denmark some 10–20% points lower than...

Ensuring quality in studies linking cancer registries and biobanks

Abstract: The Nordic countries have a long tradition of providing comparable and high quality cancer data through the national population-based cancer registries and the capability to link the diverse large-scale biobanks currently in operation. The joining of these two infrastructural resources can provide a study base for large-scale studies of etiology, treatment and early detection of cancer. Research projects based on combined data from cancer registries and biobanks provides great opportunities, but also presents major challenges. Biorepositories have become an important resource in molecular epidemiology, and the increased interest in performing etiological, clinical and gene-environment-interaction studies, involving information from biological samples linked to population-based cancer registries, warrants a joint evaluation of the quality aspects of the two resources, as well as an assessment of whether the resources can be successfully combined into a high quality study. While the quality of biospecimen handling and analysis is commonly considered in different studies, the logistics of data handling including the linkage of the biobank with the cancer registry is an overlooked aspect of a biobank-based study. It is thus the aim of this paper to describe recommendations on data handling, in particular the linkage of biobank material to cancer registry data and the quality aspects thereof, based on the experience of Nordic collaborative projects combining data from cancer registries and biobanks. We propose a standard documentation with respect to the following topics: the quality control aspects of cancer registration, the identification of cases and controls, the identification and use of data confounders, the stability of serum components, historical storage conditions, aliquoting history, the number of freeze/thaw cycles and available volumes.

The interface of population-based cancer registries and biobanks in etiological and clinical research--current and future perspectives.

Abstract: Background. The availability of quality assured, population-based cancer registries and biobanks with high quality samples makes it possible to conduct research on large samples sets with long follow-up within a reasonable time frame. Defined quality for both cancer registries and biobanks is essential for enabling high quality biobank-based research. Recent networking projects have brought these infrastructures together to promote the combined use of cancer registries and biobanks in cancer research. Materials and methods. In this report we review the current status and future perspectives of cancer registries and biobanks and how the interface between them should be developed to optimally further cancer research. Results and discussion. Major conclusions for future improvements are that the research exploiting cancer registries and biobanks, and the research that is building and optimising the infrastructure, should evolve together for maximally relevant progress. Population-based and sustainable biobanks that continuously and consecutively store all samples ("Biological registries") under strict quality control are needed. There is also a need for increased education, information and visibility of the interdisciplinary sciences required for optimal exploitation of these resources.

A comparison of two methods to estimate the cancer incidence and mortality burden in China in 2005.

Abstract: Knowledge of the cancer profile is an important step in planning rational cancer control programs and evaluation of their impact. Due to rapid changes in cancer incidence in China, national surveys may be insufficiently timely to provide adequate descriptions of the national burden. To evaluate the utility of cancer registries in describing the national cancer profile, this study compared two methods of estimating national cancer-specific incidence and mortality in China 2005, based on the Third National Death Survey (method I) as compared with registry material (method II). A total of 2.6 million cancer cases and 1.8 million cancer deaths were estimated by method I, as compared to 2.8 million cancer cases and 1.9 million cancer deaths using method II. The higher level of burden using the latter method in part may be due to a sizable differential in the magnitude of incidence rates across registries for certain cancer sites. Most cancer registries have been located in relatively more developed urban areas, or rural areas associated with higher risk for certain cancers. There are substantial differences in the cancer profile between urban and rural communities in China, and there may be concerns regarding the national representativeness of the data aggregated from this set of cancer registries. Timely and reliable estimation of cancer can only be realized if accurate information is available from cancer registries covering representative samples of the country.