Showing papers by "Meg Watson published in 2011"
TL;DR: To the knowledge of the authors, the articles in this supplement constitute the first comprehensive examination of the overall burden of melanoma in the United States based on data from a majority of the US population.
Abstract: Background Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Melanoma skin cancer is particularly deadly; more than 8000 US residents die from it each year. Although recent reports suggest that melanoma incidence rates have been increasing, these apparent increases could be caused by an increase in reporting and/or screening, and by an actual increase in the occurrence of melanoma. Objective In this report, we describe methods used in this supplement to assess the current burden of melanoma in the United States using data from two federal cancer surveillance programs: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Program of Cancer Registries and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program. We also provide basic descriptive epidemiologic data about melanoma in the United States. Methods Cancer incidence data from population-based cancer registries that participate in the CDC National Program of Cancer Registries and/or the NCI Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program covering 78% of the US population for 2004 to 2006 were used. Results Over 45 thousand melanomas were diagnosed annually, with a rate of 19 cases per 100,000 persons. Limitations Melanoma rates may vary because of differences in reporting, diagnosis, and screening. Conclusion To our knowledge, the articles in this supplement constitute the first comprehensive examination of the overall burden of melanoma in the United States based on data from a majority of the US population.
49 citations
TL;DR: The increase in rates across all tumor sizes suggests that the observed increases cannot be attributed solely to changes in diagnostics or surveillance, and that other, more contemporary factors than those previously proposed may play a contributing role.
Abstract: Purpose: Thyroid cancer incidence has been increasing for several decades, but the reasons are not fully understood. Previous surveillance reports have covered less than 26% of the U.S. population. More recent, nationwide data are needed. This study examines thyroid cancer incidence among younger women by age, race/ethnicity, geography, and tumor size. Patients and Methods: Our study uses nationwide surveillance data to describe incidence rates and recent trends in thyroid cancer among adults aged 20–39 years in the United States during 1999–2007, with a focus on females. Results: Incidence rates were more than five times higher among females (16.4 per 100,000; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 16.2–16.6) than among males (3.1 per 100,000; 95% CI: 3.1–3.2). Among females, rates were higher among non-Hispanic whites than among other racial/ethnic groups and higher in the Northeast compared with other regions (p<0.05). During 1999–2007, incidence rates increased 5.3% each year among females (95% CI: 4.7–5.9). T...
5 citations