Showing papers by "Liliana Minelli published in 2004"

Breast cancer incidence, mortality and survival in the Umbria region of Italy (1978-1999).

Abstract: Recent incidence, mortality and survival rates of female invasive breast cancer in the Umbria region were compared with data of 20 years ago and with data from other Italian Registries. Incidence data, derived from an ad hoc survey and from cancer registry records, were analysed for the periods 1978-1982 and 1994-1999; mortality trend rates were calculated based on data from official publications and the variation was assessed by joinpoint analysis. Fifteen-year survival rates, observed, relative and age-adjusted, were also calculated. Compared with the years 1978-1982, the age-adjusted incidence rates rose during 1994-1999, while age-adjusted mortality rates decreased in this latter period. Incidence and mortality rates specific for each age group showed a constant increase with age, in both periods of observation, especially among women from 50 to 75 years of age. The 5-year relative survival rates increased 17%, rising from 0.71 in 1978-1982 to 0.86 in 1994-1998; the survival improvement was evident among women aged 45-54, and 65-74. Age-adjusted incidence and mortality rates in Umbria were lower than in other Italian Registries and survival rates showed a better prognosis for breast cancers diagnosed in Umbria in the period 1994-1998. In conclusion, the 1994-1998 decline in breast cancer mortality and the survival improvement may in part reflect the effectiveness of earlier detection by mammography and the progress in treatments. Genetic and lifestyle factors along with the improvement in diagnosis, and in quality of data collection and classification could have determined the recorded increase in breast cancer incidence.

[Trends in gastric cancer incidence, mortality and survival in the Umbria region of Italy. 1978-82 and 1994-99].

Abstract: Gastric cancer, despite the decrease observed in the last 50 years, is yet the fourth cause of death for malignant tumor in Italy. Data from the Registro Tumori Umbro di Popolazione have been used to assess incidence, mortality and survival rates for this cancer over the period 1994-1999. The results have been compared with the data of an ad hoc study realized in the period 1978-1982 and with the ones of the other population-based cancer registries. Mortality and incidence rates are among the highest in Italy, confirming the existence of a high risk area for gastric cancer in central Italy; anyway, both mortality and incidence decrease during the study period. Also survival rates from gastric cancer recorded in Umbria over the period 94-99 were among the highest respect to other Italian cancer Registries. A case-control study carried out in a neighbouring area, aimed to explain the elevated incidence of gastric cancer, found that the consumption of a "traditional" diet--rich in proteins (particularly from sausages), nitritis and nitrous compound, alcohol, coffee, and fibres--was an important risk factor for gastric cancer. Survival over the period 94-99 is significantly improved, if compared to 1979-82 survival rate. The high survival rate recorded in the Umbria region could be related both to the number of cases treated in Umbria and to the quality of the regional oncologic system; in fact, in Umbria we reported high survival rates for several malignancies.