Figure 5. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AMRs) over time and excess mortality in each month for cancers with excess mortalities in 2021 and 2022.

See Figure 1 for an explanation of the graphs' axes, units, and other elements.

(A) Ovarian cancer

There was a gradual downward trend from 2010, a slight increase from 2020, and a substantial increase from 2021 to 2022, with AMRs exceeding the 99% upper PIs in 2021 and 2022. Monthly excess mortalities gradually increased through 2021 and 2022.

(B) Leukemia

Annual AMRs of leukemia slowly declined or plateaued starting in 2010, but significantly increased in 2022, exceeding the 95% upper PI. Monthly AMRs exceeded the 99% upper PI in January and the 95% upper PI in December 2022.

(C) Prostate cancer

Annual AMRs were on a gradual downward trend starting in 2010, but increased starting in 2021, exceeding the 95% upper PIs in 2021 and 2022. Monthly excess mortalities gradually increased through 2021 and 2022, exceeding the 95% upper PI in December 2022.

(D) Lip/oral/pharyngeal cancer

Annual AMRs over time were on a gradual downward trend, but increased in 2022, exceeding the 95% upper PI. Monthly excess mortalities increased more clearly after the third mass vaccination for COVID-19 in 2022, exceeding the 95% upper PIs in January and December 2022.

(E) Pancreatic cancer

AMRs in 2015 were excluded from the analysis because it was an apparent outlier for unknown reasons.

Annual AMRs of pancreatic cancer increased from 2010, began to exceed the 95% upper PI in 2020, and then deviated further and increased between 2021 and 2022, exceeding the 99% upper PIs. Monthly excess mortalities were seen from 2020, exceeding the 95% upper PI in December 2020, and increased even further, exceeding the 99% upper PIs in December 2021 and 2022.