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Croatian Medical Journal logoLink to Croatian Medical Journal
. 2012 Apr;53(2):100–108. doi: 10.3325/cmj.2012.53.100

Breast and gynecological cancers in Croatia, 1988-2008

Iva Kelava 1, Karlo Tomičić 2, Marina Kokić 3, Ante Ćorušić 2, Pavao Planinić 2, Iva Kirac 4, Jure Murgić 4, Tomislav Kuliš 5, Ariana Znaor 6,7
PMCID: PMC3342654  PMID: 22522987

Abstract

Aim

To analyze and interpret incidence and mortality trends of breast and ovarian cancers and incidence trends of cervical and endometrial cancers in Croatia for the period 1988-2008.

Methods

Incidence data were obtained from the Croatian National Cancer Registry. The mortality data were obtained from the World Health Organization (WHO) mortality database. Trends of incidence and mortality were analyzed by joinpoint regression analysis.

Results

Joinpoint analysis showed an increase in the incidence of breast cancer with estimated annual percent of change (EAPC) of 2.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9 to 3.4). The mortality rate was stable, with the EAPC of 0.3% (95% CI, -0.6 to 0.0). Endometrial cancer showed an increasing incidence trend, with EAPC of 0.8% (95% CI, 0.2 to 1.4), while cervical cancer showed a decreasing incidence trend, with EAPC of -1.0 (95% CI, -1.6 to -0.4). Ovarian cancer incidence showed three trends, but the average annual percent change (AAPC) for the overall period was not significant, with a stable trend of 0.1%. Ovarian cancer mortality was increasing since 1992, with EAPC of 1.2% (95% CI, 0.4 to 1.9), while the trend for overall period was stable with AAPC 0.1%.

Conclusion

Incidence trends of breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancers in Croatia 1988-2008 are similar to the trends observed in most of the European countries, while the modest decline in cervical cancer incidence and lack of decline in breast cancer mortality suggest suboptimal cancer prevention and control.

Breast and gynecological cancers are among the seven most common female cancers in Croatia: in 2008 breast cancer was the most common cancer with the proportion of 26% of all cancer sites, endometrial cancer ranked fourth (6%), ovarian cancer (with fallopian tubes cancer) sixth (5%), and cervical cancer seventh (4%) (1).

Breast, endometrial, and ovarian cancers share some similar risk factors like early menarche, late menopause, obesity, and low parity (2-5). Also, breast cancer in personal history increases the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer (6). Delayed childbearing increases the risk of breast cancer but seems to have no impact on the development of ovarian and endometrial cancer (3-5). Diabetes mellitus increases the risk of endometrial and breast cancer (7,8). Use of tamoxifen or other selective estrogen receptor modulators increases the risk of endometrial and ovarian cancer, while the use of combined oral contraceptives is a protective factor (2,9,10). Also, tobacco smoking and alcohol intake reduce the risk of endometrial cancer (2,11,12). Alcohol intake and both oral contraceptives and hormonal replacement therapy are risk factors for breast cancer (2,13,14). Multiparty and physical activity are protective factors for all three cancers (2,4,15,16). Low socioeconomic status, sexually transmitted diseases, promiscuity, unprotected sexual behavior, earlier age of first intercourse, and smoking are risk factors for cervical cancer (2,17-23). Infection with human papillomavirus is considered as a necessary cause of cervical cancer (24).

The aim of this study was to report the incidence and mortality of breast and ovarian cancers and incidence of endometrial and cervical cancers, analyze the trends in the period 1988-2008, and compare them to other European countries.

Materials and methods

Data sources

Incidence data for the period 1988-2008 were obtained from the Croatian National Cancer Registry. The Registry, founded in 1959, covers the whole Croatian population (approximately 4.4 million persons) and relies on mandatory cancer notifications from primary and secondary health care sources and death certificates from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics. The Registry contributed data to the last three volumes of the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents series (25-27). Breast cancer was classified in the International Classification of Diseases as ICD-10 C50 and ICD-9 174, endometrial cancer as ICD-10 C54 and ICD-9 182, cervical cancer as ICD-10 C53 and ICD-9 180, and ovarian cancer as ICD-10 C56 and ICD-9 183. More than 95% of uterine corpus cancers are endometrial so we referred to all of them as endometrial cancer. The number of breast and ovarian cancer deaths were obtained from the World Health Organization (WHO) mortality database (28). Due to the frequent assignment of “malignant neoplasm of uterus, part unspecified” (ICD-10 C55) as the underlying cause of death in the analyzed period, and consequent underestimation of cervical and endometrial cancer mortality, we did not include these data in the analysis (28).

Statistical analysis

Age-standardized rates (ASR) of cancer incidence and mortality were calculated by the direct standardization method, using the world standard population as a reference (29). To calculate age-specific incidence and mortality rates for breast cancer, we used the United Nations population estimates (30).

To describe incidence and mortality trends by calendar period, we carried out joinpoint regression analysis using the software Joinpoint Regression Program, Version 3.5.2, October 2011 (31). The analysis included the logarithmic transformation of the rates, standard error, maximum number of five joinpoints, and minimum of four years between two joinpoints. All other program parameters were set to default values. The aim of the approach is to identify possible joinpoints where a significant change in the trend occurs. The method identifies joinpoints based on regression models with 0-5 joinpoints. The final model selected was the most parsimonious of these, with the estimated annual percent change (EAPC) based on the trend within each segment (31). To quantify the trend over a fixed number of the years, the average annual percent change (AAPC) was calculated. The AAPC is computed as a geometric weighted average of the EAPC trend analysis, with the weights equal to the lengths of each segment during the prespecified fixed interval.

In describing trends, the terms “significant increase” or “significant decrease” signify that the slope of the trend was statistically significant (P < 0.05). For non-significant trends (P > 0.05), we used the terms “stable” (for EAPC between -0.5% and 0.5%), “non-statistically significant increase” (for EAPC>0.5%), and “non-statistically significant decrease” (for EAPC<-0.5%). All statistical tests were two sided.

Results

Breast cancer

From 1988 to 2008, the number of new breast cancer cases increased from 1220 to 2472 and ASR of incidence increased from 35.5 to 61.9 per 100 000. The number of deaths increased from 670 to 902, while ASRs remained stable (Table 1).

Table 1.

Breast cancer incidence and mortality data, Croatia 1988-2008. Number of cases, crude rate, and age standardized rate (ASR) per 100 000

Year Incidence
 Mortality
N crude rate ASR N crude rate ASR
1988
 1220
 52.7
 35.5
 670
 28.9
 18.0
1989
 1353
 58.3
 38.8
 661
 28.5
 17.8
1990
 1461
 62.7
 40.7
 710
 30.5
 18.4
1991
 1351
 57.5
 37.9
 758
 32.3
 19.8
1992
 1429
 60.3
 37.7
 730
 30.8
 18.0
1993
 1539
 64.3
 40.6
 758
 31.7
 18.4
1994
 1658
 68.7
 43.6
 749
 31.1
 17.7
1995
 1779
 73.6
 45.4
 768
 31.8
 18.0
1996
 1782
 73.8
 45.8
 706
 29.3
 16.9
1997
 1883
 78.6
 47.7
 769
 32.1
 17.8
1998
 1908
 80.3
 47.8
 794
 33.4
 18.4
1999
 2544
 108.1
 67.4
 856
 36.4
 19.7
2000
 2038
 87.3
 51.7
 843
 36.1
 18.5
2001
 2233
 96.1
 57.0
 832
 35.8
 18.5
2002
 2052
 88.6
 51.1
 804
 34.7
 17.1
2003
 2251
 97.4
 55.8
 822
 35.6
 16.9
2004
 2164
 93.8
 52.8
 825
 35.8
 17.9
2005
 2303
 100.0
 56.2
 922
 40.0
 18.0
2006
 2205
 95.9
 54.3
 830
 36.1
 17.1
2007
 2574
 112.1
 62.7
 861
 37.5
 17.3
2008 2472 107.9 61.9 902 39.4 17.6
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Joinpoint analysis of incidence showed a significantly increasing trend, with EAPC of 2.6% (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9 to 3.4). Mortality trend was stable, with EAPC of -0.3% (95% CI, -0.6 to 0.0) (Table 2, Figure 1). When analyzed by 10-year age groups (Table 2), the incidence was increasing in all age groups. A significant change in the incidence trend was most pronounced in 2005 in the 60-69 age group, with EAPC of 14.2% in the period 2005-2008. Mortality decreased in younger age groups (30-49 years) and increased in older age groups (>60 years). In the age group 50-59 years, there was a change in trend starting from 1999. In that age group, mortality was increasing (EAPC 1.7%) from 1988 to 1999, when it started to decrease (EAPC -3.5%).

Table 2.

Joinpoint analysis of breast cancer incidence and mortality in Croatia, 1988-2008 with the estimated annual percent change (EAPC) and 95% confidence intervals (CI)

Trend 1 (years) EAPC (95% CI) Trend 2 (years) EAPC (95% CI)
Incidence by age-group:
30-39
 1988-2008
 1.1 (-0.5 to 2.8)
40-49
 1988-2008
 1.7* (0.6 to 2.7)
50-59
 1988-1999
 6.2* (4.9 to 7.6)
 1999-2008
 0 (-1.6 to 1.8)
60-69
 1988-2005
 3.0* (2.2 to 3.9)
 2005-2008
 14.2* (1.7 to 28.3)
70-79
 1988-1999
 3.5* (2.4 to 4.7)
 1999-2008
 -0.1 (-1.7 to 1.4)
>80
 1988-2003
 2.7* (1.5 to 3.8)
 2003-2008
 -3.4 (-8.9 to 2.3)
Overall
 1988-2008
 2.6* (1.9 to 3.4)
Mortality by age-group:
30-39
 1988-2008
 -3.2* (-4.8 to -1.5)
40-49
 1988-2008
 -1.5* (-2.5 to -0.5)
50-59
 1988-1999
 1.7* (0.4 to 3.1)
 1999-2008
 -3.5* (-5.3 to -1.7)
60-69
 1988-2008
 0.3 (-0.3 to 0.9)
70-79
 1988-2008
 0.2 (-0.5 to 1)
>80
 1988-2008
 1.6* (0.9 to 2.3)
Overall 1988-2008 -0.3 (-0.6 to 0)
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*Statistically significant trend.

Figure 1.

Figure 1

Open in a new tab

Joinpoint analysis of incidence and mortality of breast cancer in Croatia, 1988-2008. Rhomb – incidence; triangle – mortality; ASR (W) – age-standardized rate (using world standard population).

Endometrial cancer

In 1988 there were 390, and in 2008 520 new cases of endometrial cancer. The ASRs increased from 10.7/100 000 in 1988 to 11.4/100 000 in 2008 (Table 3). Joinpoint analysis revealed a constant and significant increase, with the EAPC of 0.8% (95% CI, 0.2 to 1.4) for the period of 20 years (Table 4, Figure 2).

Table 3.

Gynecological cancer incidence and mortality data, Croatia 1988-2008. Number of cases, crude rate, and age standardized rate (ASR) per 100 000

Year Cervical cancer incidence
 Endometrial cancer incidence
 Ovarian cancer incidence
 Ovarian cancer mortality
N crude rate ASR N crude rate ASR N crude rate ASR N crude rate ASR
1988
 406
 17.5
 12.2
 390
 16.8
 10.7
 337
 14.6
 9.8
 230
 9.93
 6.60
1989
 429
 18.5
 13.3
 382
 16.5
 10.1
 372
 16.0
 10.8
 220
 9.48
 5.87
1990
 399
 17.1
 11.9
 391
 16.8
 10.4
 393
 16.9
 11.3
 239
 10.25
 6.28
1991
 340
 14.5
 10.3
 357
 15.2
 9.3
 361
 15.4
 9.9
 227
 9.66
 5.65
1992
 375
 15.8
 11.0
 389
 16.4
 10.0
 390
 16.4
 10.6
 205
 8.64
 5.31
1993
 415
 17.3
 12.5
 403
 16.8
 10.3
 397
 16.6
 10.8
 243
 10.15
 5.95
1994
 405
 16.8
 12.0
 414
 17.2
 9.9
 383
 15.9
 10.7
 229
 9.49
 5.86
1995
 416
 17.2
 11.9
 469
 19.4
 11.2
 427
 17.7
 11.1
 212
 8.76
 5.01
1996
 365
 15.1
 10.5
 511
 21.2
 11.9
 418
 17.3
 10.5
 239
 9.90
 5.55
1997
 394
 16.4
 11.2
 528
 22.0
 12.2
 419
 17.5
 10.9
 241
 10.05
 5.56
1998
 358
 15.1
 10.2
 475
 20.0
 10.9
 426
 17.9
 10.7
 255
 10.74
 5.88
1999
 403
 17.1
 11.4
 578
 24.6
 13.3
 537
 22.8
 13.8
 279
 11.86
 6.27
2000
 426
 18.2
 12.7
 508
 21.8
 11.9
 550
 23.6
 14.5
 267
 11.43
 6.01
2001
 320
 13.8
 9.7
 477
 20.5
 10.8
 516
 22.2
 13.1
 311
 13.39
 6.90
2002
 363
 15.7
 10.7
 488
 21.1
 11.0
 489
 21.1
 12.1
 289
 12.48
 6.37
2003
 314
 13.6
 9.1
 471
 20.4
 10.6
 466
 20.2
 11.7
 275
 11.90
 5.97
2004
 330
 14.3
 9.8
 509
 22.1
 11.3
 432
 18.7
 10.7
 278
 12.05
 6.15
2005
 320
 13.9
 9.4
 479
 20.8
 10.9
 490
 21.3
 12.2
 287
 12.46
 5.94
2006
 345
 15.0
 10.4
 534
 23.2
 12.0
 450
 19.6
 11.1
 291
 12.66
 6.16
2007
 387
 16.9
 11.3
 572
 24.9
 12.7
 468
 20.4
 12.0
 299
 13.03
 6.42
2008 359 15.7 10.2 520 22.7 11.4 439 19.2 10.5 326 14.23 7.09
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Table 4.

Joinpoint analyses of gynecological cancers incidence and mortality with the estimated annual percent change (EAPC) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) in Croatia, 1988-2008

Trend segment Lower endpoint Upper endpoint EAPC (95% CI)
Cervical cancer incidence
1
 1988
 2008
 -1.0* (-1.6 to -0.4)
Endometrial cancer incidence
1
 1988
 2008
 0.8* (0.2 to 1.4)
Ovarian cancer incidence
1
 1988
 1997
 0.4 (-1.2 to 1.9)
2
 1997
 2000
 8.1 (-7.4 to 26.2)
3
 2000
 2008
 -3.1* (-4.8 to -1.4)
Ovarian cancer mortality
1
 1988
 1992
 -4.1 (-10.2 to 2.3)
2 1992 2008 1.2* (0.4 to 1.9)
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*Statistically significant trend.

Figure 2.

Figure 2

Open in a new tab

Joinpoint analysis of incidence of endometrial cancer in Croatia, 1988-2008. ASR (W) – age-standardized rate (using world standard population).

Ovarian cancer

The number of new ovarian cancer cases increased from 337 in 1988 to 439 in 2008 (Table 3). Trend analysis of ovarian cancer incidence showed three trends (Figure 3, Table 4). Changes in the trend occurred in 1997 and 2000. Between 1988 and 1997, the trend was stable, with EAPC 0.4% (95% CI, -1.2 to 1.9). Between 1997 and 2000, there was a non-significant increase in incidence, with EAPC 8.1% (95% CI, -7.4 to 26.2). Between 2000 and 2008, there was a significant decreasing incidence, with EAPC -3.1% (95% CI, -4.8 to -1.4) (Table 4). AAPC for the overall period was not significant, with a stable trend of 0.1% (95% CI, -2.2 to 2.4).

Figure 3.

Figure 3

Open in a new tab

Joinpoint analysis of incidence and mortality of ovarian cancer in Croatia, 1988-2008. Rhomb – incidence; triangle – mortality; ASR (W) – age-standardized rate (using world standard population).

Joinpoint analysis of ovarian cancer mortality revealed two trends. Trend 1 showed a non-significant decrease, with EAPC -4.12% (95% CI, -10.2 to 2.3). Trend 2 showed a significant increase of EAPC 1.2% (95% CI, 0.4 to 1.2%). AAPC for the overall period was not significant, with a stable trend of 0.1% (95% CI, -1.2 to 1.4).

Cervical cancer

In the period 1988-2008, the number of new cervical cancer cases decreased from 406 to 359, or with ASR of 16% – from 12.2/100 000 to 10.2/100,000 (Table 3). Joinpoint trend analysis showed a decrease in the incidence with a significant annual change of -1.0%, (95% CI, -1.6 to -0.4) (Table 4, Figure 4).

Figure 4.

Figure 4

Open in a new tab

Joinpoint analysis of incidence of cervical cancer in Croatia, 1988-2008. ASR (W) – age-standardized rate (using world standard population).

Discussion

Breast cancer

According to our results and GLOBOCAN estimates for 2008 (32), Croatia is among the European countries with an intermediate breast cancer incidence and mortality. The increasing incidence trend in Croatia 1988-2008 is comparable to trends in other European countries. Thirty-five countries with Caucasian majority population showed an increase in the incidence of breast cancer in 1990-2002 period, particularly in Central and Eastern European countries. The increase was slightly higher in the countries with initially lower incidence (33).

Possible explanations for the increase in the incidence in Croatia are a higher prevalence of lifestyle-associated risk factors and improvements in diagnostics. For example, proportion of overweight women increased from 42.9% in 1997 to 58.2% in 2003, the average age at first birth increased from 23.5 years in 1960 to 27.4 years in 2009, and the fertility rate decreased from 2.9 in 1950 to 1.5 in 2009 (34,35). Also, the increase may have been affected by a higher prevalence of alcohol consumption and the use of hormonal replacement therapy and oral contraceptives. The use of hormonal replacement therapy and oral contraceptives in Croatia is lower than in most European countries, but average alcohol intake is among the highest in Europe (36-38).

Croatian national screening program for early detection of breast cancer was introduced in 2006. It includes women aged 50-69 years. In the first screening cycle, 720 982 women were invited to mammography screening, with the response of 63% and more than 1500 detected breast cancers (39). The national screening program could have affected the increase in the incidence that appeared in the age group 60-69 years after 2005. However, the lack of similar increase in the age group 50-59 years does not confirm this hypothesis.

Besides its influence on the incidence, the national breast cancer screening program "Mamma" is also expected to reduce mortality. Countries with long-standing breast cancer screening program had reduced mortality in the screened population (40-42). However, the screening-related reduction in mortality is expected to occur in Croatia in the next 5-10 years (40-42).

Interestingly, in some countries the decline in breast cancer mortality had started before screening was introduced and occurred in non-screened population. Also, declines in mortality were also observed in countries without national screening programs (42). Similarly, the highest decline in mortality in our study was found in younger age groups. Also the decrease in mortality in the age-group 50-59 years started in 1999, before the introduction of the screening program, which could probably be attributed to improved breast cancer care.

Endometrial and ovarian cancer

Gynecological cancers in different European countries have very different incidence trends. A study of geographic and temporal variations of endometrial cancer incidence in 13 European countries in the period from 1964 to 2000 (43) found increasing trends in Iceland, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Finland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom, Spain, and Poland with EAPCs from +0.8 to +3.4% for menopausal women. Decreasing incidence trends were reported for Italy, Switzerland, and Denmark, with EAPCs from -0.8 to -1.1%, and Germany had stable incidence. The increasing incidence trend of endometrial cancer in Croatia with EAPC of 0.8% is similar to most of the European countries.

According to GLOBOCAN 2008 estimates, Croatia is among the 20 countries in Europe with the highest incidence of ovarian cancer (32). The countries that had a high incidence of ovarian cancer in 1960s and 1970s, like Nordic countries, Austria, Germany, and United Kingdom, nowadays show a declining incidence, while Southern and Eastern European countries show an increasing incidence (44). Our trend analysis for Croatia showed a stable incidence trend, with AAPC of 0.1%.

Increasing endometrial cancer incidence and high ovarian cancer incidence in Croatia could be explained by an increasing prevalence of factors such as obesity and low parity. Growing obesity is an important public health care problem. A recent study reported that 34% Croatian women are overweight (45). Another risk factor for endometrial cancer is diabetes mellitus, the total prevalence of which in adults in Croatia is high (8.9%) and growing (46). At the same time, oral contraception, which was associated with a decreased risk for endometrial and ovarian cancer, is rarely used (37). However, a significant decrease in the incidence of ovarian cancer in the period 2000-2008 could possibly be explained by an increased use of oral contraception since 1980s, but there are no scientific data to corroborate it. This decreasing incidence trend has not yet reflected on mortality, which has had a significantly increasing trend since 1992, with EAPC of 1.2%, in contrast to the trends observed in most of the other European populations (44). Also, the ASR remains high, placing Croatia among the countries with the highest ovarian cancer mortality in Europe (32).

Cervical cancer

According to GLOBOCAN 2008 estimates, Croatia has an intermediate ASR of cervical cancer (32). From the middle 1990s to early 2000s, the rates of cervical cancer were highest in Central Europe, the lowest in Finland, Italy, and Malta, and stable in Nordic countries, Ireland, Austria, and the Netherlands (47). The largest decrease in incidence was observed in countries with organized screening programs like Finland and the Netherlands (48).

The introduction of the Pap smear, which detects premalignant lesions of the cervix and early stages of cervical cancer, reduced the incidence and mortality in developed countries (49). In Croatia, Pap smears were introduced in 1950s (50) and became part of the routine gynecological examination. This led to a decrease in incidence, but an even greater decrease could be achieved through an organized screening program. The Finnish model of organized Pap screening program shows to which extent it is possible to decrease cervical cancer incidence (51). In addition to an 80% reduction in cervical cancer incidence in the age-group 30-64 years, which can be achieved by organized screening (51), further decrease could be achieved by the use of HPV vaccines against oncogenic types (52). HPV vaccines have been available in Croatia since 2007, but vaccination is not obligatory (53). HPV vaccines cannot replace cytological screening for cervical cancer and their influence on cervical cancer incidence is yet to be seen (54). Croatia already has screening programs for breast and colorectal cancers (39), and the introduction of a screening program for cervical cancer is planned for the near future. However, more investment in cancer prevention is needed, in terms of reducing the exposure to highly prevalent lifestyle risk factors and maintaining or introducing high-quality national screening programs for breast and cervical cancers.

Acknowledgments

Funding This study was partly supported by the Croatian Ministry of Science, Education, and Sports grant No. 005-1080315-0294.

Ethical approval Not required.

Declaration of authorship IK participated in data collection, data analysis, interpretation of the results, manuscript preparation, manuscript editing, and manuscript review. KT participated in interpretation of results, manuscript preparation, manuscript editing, and manuscript review. MK participated in interpretation of results, manuscript preparation, manuscript editing, and manuscript review. AĆ participated in interpretation of results, manuscript preparation, manuscript editing, and manuscript review. PP participated in the interpretation of results, manuscript preparation, manuscript editing, and manuscript review. IK participated in data collection, data analysis, interpretation of the results, manuscript preparation, manuscript editing, and manuscript review. JM participated in interpretation of the results and manuscript editing. TK participated in data collection, data analysis, manuscript preparation, manuscript editing, and manuscript review. AZ participated in study design and coordination, interpretation of the results, manuscript preparation, manuscript editing, and manuscript review.

Competing interests All authors have completed the Unified Competing Interest form at www.icmje.org/coi_disclosure.pdf (available on request from the corresponding author) and declare: no support from any organization for the submitted work; no financial relationships with any organizations that might have an interest in the submitted work in the previous 3 years; no other relationships or activities that could appear to have influenced the submitted work.

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