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Chinese Journal of Cancer Research logoLink to Chinese Journal of Cancer Research
. 2016 Jun;28(3):275–285. doi: 10.21147/j.issn.1000-9604.2016.03.02

Cancer incidence and mortality in Henan province, 2012

Shuzheng Liu 1, Qiong Chen 1, Peiliang Quan 1, Meng Zhang 1, Shaokai Zhang 1, Lanwei Guo 1, Xibin Sun 1, Chengzeng Wang 1,
PMCID: PMC4949273  PMID: 27478313

Abstract

Objective

Population-based cancer registration data in 2012 from all available cancer registries in Henan province were collected by Henan Office for Cancer Research and Control. The numbers of new cancer cases and cancer deaths in Henan province with compiled cancer incidence and mortality rates were estimated.

Methods

In 2015, all registries’ data in Henan province were qualified for the national cancer registry annual report in 2012. The pooled data were stratified by area (urban/rural), gender, age group (0, 1.4, 5.9, 10.14, …, 85+) and cancer type. New cancer cases and deaths were estimated using age-specific rates and corresponding population of Henan province in 2012. The Chinese census data in 2000 and Segi’s population were applied for age-standardized rates. All the rates were expressed per 100,000 person-years.

Results

Qualified 19 cancer registries (4 urban and 15 rural registries) covered 16,082,688 populations of Henan province in 2012. The percentage of cases with morphologically verified (MV%) and death certificateonly cases (DCO%) were 69.84% and 2.30%, respectively, and the mortality to incidence rate ratio (M/I) was 0.64. It was estimated that there were 248,510 new cancer cases and 158,630 cancer deaths in Henan province in 2012. The incidence rate was 266.17/100,000 (288.61/100,000 in males and 241.86/100,000 in females), the age-standardized incidence rates by Chinese standard population (ASIRC) and by world standard population (ASIRW) were 208.95/100,000 and 206.41/100,000 with the cumulative incidence rate (0.74 years old) of 24.30%. The crude incidence rate in urban areas was higher than that in rural areas. However, after adjusted by age, the cancer incidence rate in rural was higher than that in urban areas. The crude mortality of all cancers in Henan province was 169.90/100,000 (201.23/100,000 in males and 135.95/100,000 in females). The age-standardized mortality rates by Chinese standard population (ASMRC) and by world standard population (ASMRW) were 131.20/100,000 and 130.80/100,000, respectively. Among the patients aged 0.74 years, the cumulative mortality rate was 15.03%. The crude cancer mortality rate in urban areas was higher than that of rural areas. However, the age-standardized rate in rural areas was higher than that of urban areas. Cancers of lung, stomach, esophagus, liver, female breast, colorectum, cervix, brain, uterus and ovary were the most common cancers, accounting for about 82.80% of all cancer new cases. Lung cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer, colorectal cancer, female breast cancer, brain cancer, leukemia, pancreatic cancer and cervix cancer were the leading causes of cancer deaths, accounting for about 88.50% of all cancer deaths. The burden between urban and rural, males and females were different.

Conclusions

Registration data of Henan province was qualified to provide basic information on population-based cancer incidence, mortality for cancer prevention and control. The upper digestive tract cancer burden in Henan province, especially for males in rural areas, was higher. The incidence rate of female breast cancer was higher in urban areas. Targeted prevention, early detection and treatment programs should be carried out by health department to control the cancer burden.

Keywords: Cancer registry, incidence, mortality, epidemiology, Henan province

Introduction

The National Central Cancer Registry (NCCR) of China estimated that there were 4,292,000 new cases of cancer diagnosed in 2015 in China (1). Henan province, the province with large population in China, is also facing heaven burden of cancer. With the national financial support, there were 6,16,16,19,20,27 and 27 established registries from 2009 to 2015 respectively. Since 2012, Henan Office for Cancer Research and Control began publishing cancer registry annual report of Henan province. The cancer registration data are very useful in the prevention and control of cancer through estimating the local cancer incidence and mortality. In this paper, we provide a comprehensive overview of cancer incidence and mortality rates and estimate new cancer cases and cancer deaths in Henan province in 2012.

Materials and methods

2.1. Data source

Henan Office for Cancer Research and Control is in charge of population-based cancer registry in Henan province with responsibility of system establishment, training, data collection, evaluation and publication of annual report. The incidence cases were reported to cancer registries from local hospitals, community health service centers, the Basic Medical Insurances for Urban Residents and the New-Rural Cooperative Medical System. By June 1,2015,19 cancer registries in Henan province submitted 2012 data to Henan Office for Cancer Research and Control. All cancer cases were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, 3rd edition (ICD-O-3) and the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10). Finally, all submitted data were pooled to form the database of Henan provincial registry system in 2012.

Population of Henan province estimates

The population of Henan province in 2012 was estimated based on the fifth National Census data (2000) provided by the National Statistics Bureau of China, taking into account of the changes of age composition, gender ratio and the proportion of urban and rural transformation released by the National Bureau of Statistics (<a href="http://data.stats.gov.cn/">http://data.stats.gov.cn/</a>). The population of Henan province in 2012 was stratified by area (urban/rural), gender (male/female) and age groups (0-,1-4,5-84 by 5 years, 85+ years). The age-specific death probability was adjusted referring to the sixth National Census in 2010. Linear changes were assumed in each age group between the fifth and sixth Population Census.

Quality control

Henan Office for Cancer Research and Control checked and evaluated the quality and comparability of submitted data based on "Guideline for Chinese Cancer Registration" and referring to relevant data quality criterion of "Cancer Incidence in Five Continents Volume IX" by International Agency for Research on Cancer/International Association of Cancer Registries (IARC/IACR) (2). The data included in the final analysis should meet the following criteria: the percentage of cases morphologically verified (MV%) was not lower than 66%; the percentage of death certificate-only cases (DCO%) was lower than 15%; the mortality to incidence ratio (M/I) was between 0.6 and 0.8; and the percentage of the diagnosis of unknown basis (UB%) was lower than 5%.

Statistical analysis

Incidence and mortality rates were calculated by area, gender and age groups. The numbers of new cases and deaths were estimated using the 5-year age-specific cancer incidence/ mortality rates and the corresponding populations. The Chinese population in 2000 and World Segi’s population were used for age-standardized rates. The cumulative risk of developing or dying from cancer before 75 years of age (in the absence of competing causes of death) was calculated and presented as a percentage. Software including MS-Excel and IARCcrg Tools 2.05 issued by IARC and IACR were used for data checking and evaluation (3). SAS software (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, USA) was used to calculate the incidence and mortality rates.

Results

Data quality

There were 19 registries in Henan province accepted by this analysis, including 4 cities and 15 counties and covering 16,082,688 of populations, including 8,283,111 males and 7,799,577 females, accounted for 17.1% of population of Henan province in end of 2012. The overall indicators of MV%, DCO% and M/I ratio were 69.84%,2.30% and 0.64, respectively. They were 69.47%,1.80% and 0.63 in urban registries, compared to 69.92%,2.41% and 0.64 in rural. The quality evaluation for major cancers is presented in Table 1.

1.

Quality evaluation of cancer registration data in Henan province, 2012

Cancer All areas Urban Rural
MV (%) DCO (%) M/I MV (%) DCO (%) M/I MV (%) DCO (%) M/I
MV%, percentage of morphological verifi cation; DCO%, percentage of cancer cases identifi ed with death certifi cation only; M/I, mortality to incidence ratio; CNS, central nervous system.
Oral & pharyngx 55.00 2.37 0.32 56.52 0.00 0.20 54.51 3.13 0.36
Nasopharynx 61.65 0.97 0.45 56.10 0.00 0.29 63.03 1.21 0.50
Esophagus 84.28 2.26 0.69 81.72 2.57 0.72 84.67 2.21 0.69
Stomach 85.58 2.05 0.72 82.85 2.11 0.75 85.95 2.04 0.71
Colorectum 77.91 1.89 0.52 75.47 0.94 0.53 78.54 2.14 0.52
Liver 38.52 3.48 0.84 30.58 3.75 0.79 39.90 3.44 0.85
Gallbladder 52.35 2.25 0.61 54.03 4.03 0.68 51.78 1.64 0.58
Pancreas 48.12 5.12 0.78 56.62 2.21 0.74 45.56 6.00 0.79
Throat 52.15 3.35 0.59 69.57 0.00 0.59 50.00 3.76 0.59
Lung 60.82 2.79 0.78 64.40 1.43 0.89 60.02 3.10 0.75
Other organs in chest 41.18 0.98 0.39 42.42 0.00 0.52 40.58 1.45 0.33
Bone 37.89 2.37 0.52 37.04 1.85 0.39 38.04 2.45 0.55
Skin melanoma 100.00 0.00 0.38 100.00 0.00 0.44 100.00 0.00 0.37
Breast 91.03 1.29 0.34 83.84 1.58 0.28 93.14 1.21 0.37
Cervix 86.02 1.02 0.34 89.72 0.00 0.24 85.00 1.30 0.37
Uterus 86.95 0.94 0.28 82.86 1.43 0.22 88.10 0.81 0.30
Ovary 78.51 0.73 0.37 79.51 0.00 0.37 78.22 0.94 0.37
Prostate 57.87 2.98 0.55 72.50 1.25 0.47 50.32 3.87 0.59
Testis 61.54 0.00 0.24 40.00 0.00 0.50 66.67 0.00 0.17
Kidney 51.75 2.70 0.40 66.43 2.86 0.39 42.86 2.60 0.42
Bladder 64.44 1.41 0.43 71.54 0.77 0.45 61.92 1.64 0.43
Brain, CNS 29.74 3.11 0.53 45.27 1.35 0.31 26.93 3.43 0.57
Thyroid gland 67.88 1.45 0.15 71.53 0.73 0.06 66.67 1.69 0.18
Lymphoma 97.19 0.51 0.57 93.55 0.00 0.69 98.33 0.67 0.53
Leukemia 99.15 0.12 0.58 99.44 0.00 0.55 99.07 0.15 0.59
Total 69.84 2.30 0.64 69.47 1.80 0.63 69.92 2.41 0.64

Incidence and mortality of overall cancers

Incidence

It was estimated that there were 248,510 new cases diagnosed as cancer in Henan province in 2012. The crude incidence rate of all cancers was 266.17/100,000 (288.61/100,000 in males and 241.86/100,000 in females). The age-standardized incidence rates by Chinese standard population (ASIRC) and by world standard population (ASIRW) were 208.95/100,000 and 206.41/100,000, respectively. Among the cancer patients aged 0-74 years, the cumulative incidence rate was 24.30%. The crude incidence rate in urban areas was higher than that in rural areas. However, after adjusted by age, the cancer incidence rate in rural was higher than that in urban areas (Table 2).

2.

Cancer incidence in Henan province, 2012

Areas Sex Cases (hundred) Crude incidence (1/105) ASIRC (1/105)* ASIRW (1/105)** Cumulative rate 0−74 (%)
*, age-standardized incidence rate (China population, 2000); **, age-standardized incidence rate (Segi’s population).
Both 2,485.1 266.17 208.95 206.41 24.30
All areas Male 1,401.4 288.61 235.50 235.69 28.14
Female 1,083.8 241.86 185.57 180.41 20.49
Both 478.8 278.80 205.93 201.82 23.69
Urban Male 254.4 292.56 222.51 222.19 25.90
Female 224.4 264.68 193.51 186.35 21.63
Both 2,006.3 263.33 209.67 207.55 24.45
Rural Male 1,147.0 287.75 238.58 238.97 28.67
Female 859.4 236.54 183.50 178.87 20.21

Age-specific incidence rate

The age-specific incidence rate was relatively lower before 40 years old, then increased dramatically and peaked at age group of 80-84 years. The pattern was similar between urban and rural areas. Comparing the age-specific incidence rate between urban and rural areas, except age from 25-39 and 70+ years, urban areas had lower incidence rates than that in rural areas (Figure 1, Table 3).

1.

1

Age-specific cancer incidence rates in urban and rural areas in Henan province, 2012.

3.

Age-specific incidence rates of overall cancers in Henan province, 2012 (1/105)

Age groups All areas Urban Rural
Both Male Female Both Male Female Both Male Female
Total 266.17 288.61 241.86 278.80 292.56 264.68 263.33 287.75 236.54
0− 5.55 3.63 7.85 3.57 0.00 7.72 6.07 4.56 7.89
1− 10.23 10.70 9.67 8.80 8.87 8.71 10.52 11.06 9.86
5− 8.96 9.08 8.81 3.84 4.08 3.56 9.89 9.98 9.79
10− 10.11 11.50 8.34 7.44 5.25 10.05 10.62 12.66 8.00
15− 9.42 9.17 9.72 6.73 6.38 7.14 9.92 9.67 10.22
20− 17.19 13.63 21.12 8.77 6.80 10.83 18.74 14.84 23.08
25− 26.46 20.48 32.78 28.84 14.63 42.43 25.96 21.64 30.62
30− 44.92 28.24 62.68 50.25 23.19 75.64 43.58 29.42 59.15
35− 81.40 54.24 110.48 84.33 42.96 124.13 80.59 57.16 106.42
40− 162.13 122.86 204.79 147.14 102.94 192.38 166.01 127.82 208.12
45− 281.32 244.91 318.34 248.90 198.77 300.13 288.88 255.71 322.57
50− 343.13 342.44 343.81 337.91 324.19 351.93 344.50 347.34 341.72
55− 616.51 662.74 568.78 525.95 541.09 510.62 640.56 694.67 584.42
60− 899.48 1,077.30 720.60 803.53 911.76 698.45 921.74 1,114.86 725.85
65− 1,093.57 1,400.34 776.04 1,051.26 1,280.91 826.26 1,103.17 1,426.56 764.25
70− 1,256.47 1,621.24 902.92 1,424.27 1,709.78 1,164.74 1,216.09 1,600.78 837.43
75− 1,480.46 1,979.72 1,031.74 1,635.62 2,147.98 1,192.05 1,439.09 1,935.96 988.03
80− 1,574.99 2,190.06 1,110.93 1,916.49 2,679.16 1,285.38 1,493.46 2,065.53 1,071.32
85+ 1,303.46 2,020.47 941.71 1,665.21 2,848.42 1,048.02 1,240.61 1,872.85 923.48

Mortality

It was estimated that there were 158,630 patients died from cancer in Henan province in 2012. The crude mortality of all cancers in Henan province was 169.90/100,000 (201.23/100,000 in males and 135.95/100,000 in females). The age-standardized mortality rates by Chinese standard population (ASMRC) and by world standard population (ASMRW) were 131.20/100,000 and 130.80/100,000, respectively. Among the patients aged 0-74 years, the cumulative mortality rate was 15.03%. The crude cancer mortality rate in urban areas was higher than that in rural areas. However, the age-standardized rate in rural areas was higher than that in urban areas (Table 4).

4.

Cancer mortality in Henan province, 2012

Area Sex Deaths (hundred) Mortality (1/105) ASMRC (1/105)* ASMRW (1/105)** Cumulative rate 0−74 (%)
*, age-standardized mortality rate (China population, 2000); **, age-standardized mortality rate (Segi’s population).
Both 1,586.3 169.90 131.20 130.80 15.03
All areas Male 977.1 201.23 165.43 165.67 18.91
Female 609.2 135.95 99.69 99.00 11.14
Both 299.9 174.63 127.60 126.42 13.64
Urban Male 184.4 212.07 165.09 165.19 17.11
Female 115.5 136.23 95.31 93.91 10.32
Both 1,286.4 168.83 132.18 132.07 15.36
Rural Male 792.7 198.86 165.63 166.09 19.33
Female 493.7 135.89 100.85 100.36 11.34

Age-specific mortality

The age-specific mortality rate was relatively lower before 45 years and then dramatically increased, reaching peak after 85 years. The pattern was similar between urban and rural areas. Comparing the age-specific mortality rate between urban and rural areas, in most age groups under 70 years old, urban areas had lower mortality rates than that in rural areas (Figure 2, Table 5).

2.

2

Age-specific cancer mortality in urban and rural areas in Henan province, 2012.

5.

Age-specific mortality of overall cancers in Henan province, 2012 (1/105)

Age groups All areas Urban Rural
Both Male Female Both Male Female Both Male Female
All 169.90 201.23 135.95 174.63 212.07 136.23 168.83 198.86 135.89
0− 2.48 3.19 1.62 7.20 6.75 7.72 1.24 2.28 1.12
1− 3.83 4.53 2.99 2.05 3.80 0.00 4.18 4.67 3.59
5− 3.96 3.75 4.22 4.39 4.08 4.75 3.88 3.69 4.12
10− 3.82 4.52 2.92 3.43 3.15 3.77 3.89 4.77 2.75
15− 4.37 5.08 3.52 3.36 2.73 4.08 4.56 5.50 3.41
20− 5.32 5.33 5.31 4.59 4.53 4.64 5.46 5.47 5.44
25− 8.91 9.59 8.18 6.81 8.78 4.93 9.35 9.75 8.91
30− 13.62 12.69 14.62 12.56 14.75 10.51 13.89 12.21 15.73
35− 28.03 26.67 29.49 28.68 26.85 30.43 27.85 26.62 29.21
40− 57.71 62.66 52.34 48.87 55.09 42.49 59.99 64.54 54.98
45− 108.51 122.16 94.63 94.40 105.73 82.82 111.80 126.01 97.37
50− 157.12 176.97 137.49 143.74 169.19 117.73 160.64 179.05 142.58
55− 328.23 388.42 266.08 273.29 327.90 217.98 342.82 404.31 279.02
60− 542.35 678.85 405.04 398.91 495.15 305.46 575.62 720.54 428.64
65− 743.47 977.70 501.03 669.30 882.75 460.16 760.31 998.54 510.63
70− 997.20 1,304.21 699.64 1,031.81 1,316.91 772.65 988.87 1,301.28 681.38
75− 1,343.00 1,752.75 974.72 1,446.61 1,905.89 1,049.00 1,315.37 1,712.93 954.47
80− 1,711.09 2,382.92 1,204.20 2,262.84 3,231.85 1,460.98 1,579.36 2,166.78 1,145.90
85+ 1,742.25 2,574.66 1,322.28 2,493.46 4,221.77 1,591.93 1,611.73 2,280.97 1,276.04

Incidence and mortality for major cancers

Cancer incidence for the 10 most common cancers

Lung cancer was the most common cancer in all areas, followed by stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer and female breast cancer, with estimated new cases of 47,820,39,700,36,840,28,050 and 16,850 respectively. Lung cancer was the most frequently diagnosed cancers in males followed bystomach cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer and colorectal cancer. Breast cancer was the most common cancers in female followed by lung cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer and liver cancer (Table 6).

6.

Top 10 cancer incidence in Henan province, 2012

Rank Both sexes Male Female
Site Cases (thousand) Incidence(1/105) % ASR*(1/105) Site Cases (thousand) Incidence(1/105) % ASR*(1/105) Site Cases (thousand) Incidence(1/105) % ASR*(1/105)
*, age-standardized incidence rate (China population, 2000); CNS, central nervous system.
1 Lung 478.2 51.22 19.24 39.10 Lung 330.8 68.12 23.60 55.18 Breast 168.5 37.61 15.55 30.51
2 Stomach 397.0 42.52 15.97 32.49 Stomach 271.6 55.93 19.38 44.94 Lung 147.5 32.91 13.61 24.07
3 Esophagus 368.4 39.46 14.83 29.81 Esophagus 231.2 47.61 16.5 38.15 Esophagus 137.3 30.63 12.66 21.89
4 Liver 280.5 30.04 11.29 23.26 Liver 200.5 41.29 14.31 33.51 Stomach 125.4 27.99 11.57 20.45
5 Breast 168.5 37.61 6.78 30.51 Colorectum 89.1 18.36 6.36 15.08 Liver 80.0 17.86 7.38 13.11
6 Colorectum 162.6 17.41 6.54 13.54 Brain, CNS 31.9 6.56 2.27 5.72 Colorectum 73.4 16.39 6.78 12.13
7 Cervix 71.2 15.89 2.87 13.13 Leukemia 29.2 6.02 2.09 5.50 Cervix 71.2 15.89 6.57 13.13
8 Brain, CNS 59.0 6.31 2.37 5.33 Bladder 24.4 5.03 1.74 4.18 Uterus 39.6 8.84 3.65 6.99
9 Uterus 39.6 8.84 1.59 6.99 Pancreas 21.5 4.43 1.54 3.58 Ovary 32.9 7.35 3.04 6.14
10 Ovary 32.9 7.35 1.32 6.14 Prostate 15.4 3.17 1.10 2.57 Brain, CNS 27.1 6.05 2.50 4.90

Cancer death of the top 10 cancers

Lung cancer was the leading cause of death in Henan province followed by stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer and colorectal cancer with estimated deaths of 37,290,28,390,25,440,23,650 and 8,450 respectively. In males, lung cancer was the leading cause followed by stomach cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer and colorectal cancer; while in females, lung cancer was still the leading cause followed by esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer and breast cancer (Table 7).

7.

Top 10 cancer mortality in Henan province, in 2012

Rank Both sexes Male Female
Site Cases (thousand) Incidence(1/105) % ASR*(1/105) Site Cases (thousand) Incidence(1/105) % ASR*(1/105) Site Cases (thousand) Incidence(1/105) % ASR*(1/105)
*, age-standardized mortality rate (China population, 2000); CNS, central nervous system.
1 Lung 372.9 39.94 23.51 30.42 Lung 258.1 53.16 26.42 43.50 Lung 114.8 25.61 18.84 18.43
2 Stomach 283.9 30.40 17.90 23.20 Stomach 195.2 40.20 19.98 32.84 Esophagus 96.5 21.53 15.84 15.25
3 Esophagus 254.4 27.24 16.03 20.69 Liver 168.6 34.73 17.26 28.20 Stomach 88.7 19.79 14.56 14.18
4 Liver 236.5 25.33 14.91 19.56 Esophagus 157.9 32.51 16.16 26.58 Liver 67.8 15.14 11.13 11.08
5 Colorectum 84.5 9.05 5.33 6.93 Colorectum 47.9 9.85 4.90 8.08 Breast 58.1 12.97 9.54 9.94
6 Breast 58.1 12.97 3.66 9.94 Leukemia 17.9 3.69 1.83 3.45 Colorectum 36.6 8.18 6.01 5.88
7 Brain, CNS 31.0 3.32 1.95 2.77 Pancreas 17.3 3.57 1.77 2.90 Cervix 24.0 5.36 3.94 4.08
8 Leukemia 29.7 3.18 1.87 2.89 Brain, CNS 17.0 3.51 1.74 3.08 Brain, CNS 13.9 3.11 2.29 2.44
9 Pancreas 29.0 3.10 1.83 2.40 Bladder 10.7 2.20 1.09 1.84 Ovary 12.3 2.74 2.02 2.10
10 Cervix 24.0 5.36 1.51 4.08 Gallbladder 9.2 1.88 0.94 1.58 Leukemia 11.8 2.62 1.93 2.32

Cancer incidence of the 10 most common cancers in urban areas

In urban areas, lung cancer was the most frequently diagnosed cancers, followed by esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer and female breast cancer with the estimated new casesof 9,700,5,350,5,290,4,520 and 4,210 respectively. The most common sites of cancer were lung, stomach, liver, esophagus and colorectum in males, while in females, cancers of breast, lung, esophagus, stomach and colorectum were the most common cancers (Table 8).

8.

Top 10 cancer incidence in urban areas of Henan province, 2012

Rank Both sexes Male Female
Site Cases (thousand) Incidence(1/105) % ASR*(1/105) Site Cases (thousand) Incidence(1/105) % ASR*(1/105) Site Cases (thousand) Incidence(1/105) % ASR*(1/105)
*, age-standardized incidence rate (China population, 2000).
1 Lung 97.0 56.45 20.25 40.24 Lung 65.9 75.83 25.92 57.20 Breast 42.1 49.70 18.78 37.49
2 Esophagus 53.5 31.13 11.16 22.41 Stomach 34.8 40.05 13.69 29.96 Lung 31.0 36.58 13.82 24.94
3 Stomach 52.9 30.81 11.05 22.12 Liver 33.0 37.99 12.98 28.61 Esophagus 21.7 25.57 9.66 17.71
4 Liver 45.2 26.34 9.45 19.11 Esophagus 31.8 36.54 12.49 27.76 Stomach 18.1 21.33 8.06 14.87
5 Breast 42.1 49.70 8.80 37.49 Colorectum 19.7 22.66 7.75 17.27 Colorectum 16.8 19.85 7.50 13.70
6 Colorectum 36.5 21.27 7.63 15.37 Bladder 7.0 8.02 2.74 6.11 Cervix 16.4 19.35 7.31 15.46
7 Cervix 16.4 19.35 3.43 15.46 Leukemia 6.7 7.72 2.64 6.45 Liver 12.2 14.39 5.44 10.02
8 Leukemia 11.8 6.89 2.47 5.65 Kidney 5.7 6.52 2.23 4.94 Uterus 9.6 11.32 4.28 8.43
9 Uterus 9.6 11.32 2.00 8.43 Prostate 5.6 6.45 2.21 5.02 Ovary 8.1 9.58 3.62 7.60
10 Ovary 8.1 9.58 1.70 7.60 Pancreas 5.4 6.21 2.12 4.69 Thyroid 6.7 7.90 2.98 6.19

Cancer death of the top 10 cancers in urban areas

Lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer death in urban areas for both males and females with estimated number of deaths of 5,950 and 2,680, respectively. Other cancer types with high mortality in males were liver cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer and colorectal cancer. In females, esophageal cancer was the second cause of cancer death, followed by stomach cancer, breast cancer and liver cancer (Table 9).

9.

Top 10 cancer mortality in urban areas in Henan province, 2012

Rank Both sexes Male Female
Site Cases (thousand) Incidence(1/105) % ASR*(1/105) Site Cases (thousand) Incidence(1/105) % ASR*(1/105) Site Cases (thousand) Incidence(1/105) % ASR*(1/105)
*, age-standardized mortality rate (China population, 2000).
1 Lung 86.3 50.25 28.78 35.51 Lung 59.5 68.45 32.28 51.80 Lung 26.8 31.59 23.19 21.23
2 Stomach 39.6 23.04 13.19 16.98 Liver 26.6 30.55 14.40 23.02 Esophagus 15.7 18.46 13.55 12.88
3 Esophagus 38.4 22.33 12.79 16.79 Stomach 25.3 29.12 13.73 23.11 Stomach 14.3 16.81 12.34 11.66
4 Liver 35.7 20.80 11.91 14.97 Esophagus 22.7 26.11 12.31 21.44 Breast 11.6 13.69 10.05 9.91
5 Colorectum 19.4 11.30 6.47 8.14 Colorectum 11.3 13.03 6.14 10.14 Liver 9.2 10.80 7.92 7.40
6 Breast 11.6 13.69 3.87 9.91 Leukemia 4.5 5.18 2.44 4.46 Colorectum 8.1 9.52 6.99 6.39
7 Pancreas 7.1 4.13 2.36 3.08 Pancreas 4.3 4.97 2.34 3.81 Cervix 3.9 4.64 3.40 3.47
8 Leukemia 6.5 3.80 2.17 3.20 Bladder 3.2 3.68 1.74 2.70 Ovary 3.0 3.52 2.59 2.54
9 Cervix 3.9 4.64 1.31 3.47 Gallbladder 3.0 3.40 1.60 2.62 Gallbladder 2.9 3.36 2.47 2.41
10 Ovary 3.0 3.52 1.00 2.54 Lymphoma 2.8 3.26 1.54 2.41 Pancreas 2.8 3.26 2.40 2.45

Cancer incidence of the 10 most common cancers in rural areas

Table 10 shows the 10 most common cancer incidence rates in rural areas. Lung cancer was the most frequently diagnosed cancers with estimated new cases of 38,130 and incidence rate of 50.04/100,000, followed by stomach cancer, esophageal cancer, liver cancer and female breast cancer. The most common sites of cancer in males were lung, stomach, esophagus, liver and colorectum, while in females they were breast cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer and liver cancer.

10.

Top 10 cancer incidence in rural areas of Henan province, 2012

Rank Both sexes Male Female
Site Cases (thousand) Incidence(1/105) % ASR*(1/105) Site Cases (thousand) Incidence(1/105) % ASR*(1/105) Site Cases (thousand) Incidence(1/105) % ASR*(1/105)
*, age-standardized incidence rate (China population, 2000); CNS, central nervous system.
1 Lung 381.3 50.04 19.00 38.84 Lung 264.8 66.44 23.09 54.73 Breast 126.4 34.79 14.71 28.77
2 Stomach 344.1 45.16 17.15 35.03 Stomach 236.7 59.39 20.64 48.52 Lung 116.5 32.05 13.55 23.87
3 Esophagus 315.0 41.34 15.70 31.64 Esophagus 199.4 50.02 17.38 40.67 Esophagus 115.6 31.81 13.45 22.93
4 Liver 235.3 30.88 11.73 24.28 Liver 167.5 42.01 14.60 34.68 Stomach 107.3 29.54 12.49 21.85
5 Breast 126.4 34.79 6.30 28.77 Colorectum 69.4 17.42 6.05 14.57 Liver 67.8 18.66 7.89 13.90
6 Colorectum 126.0 16.54 6.28 13.10 Brain, CNS 26.7 6.71 2.33 5.99 Colorectum 56.6 15.58 6.59 11.74
7 Cervix 54.8 15.08 2.73 12.47 Leukemia 22.5 5.65 1.96 5.24 Cervix 54.8 15.08 6.38 12.47
8 Brain, CNS 49.1 6.45 2.45 5.52 Bladder 17.4 4.37 1.52 3.72 Uterus 30.0 8.26 3.49 6.61
9 Uterus 30.0 8.26 1.50 6.61 Pancreas 16.1 4.05 1.41 3.32 Ovary 24.8 6.82 2.89 5.76
10 Ovary 24.8 6.82 1.24 5.76 Bone 11.5 2.89 1.01 2.65 Brain, CNS 22.4 6.16 2.60 4.98

Cancer death of the top 10 cancers in rural areas

Lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer death in rural areas for both males and females. The number of deaths on lung cancer in rural was 28,660 with mortality of 37.62/100,000. The other cancer types with high mortality were stomach cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer and colorectal cancer in males; esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer and breast cancer in females (Table 11).

11.

Top 10 cancer mortality in rural areas of Henan province, 2012

Rank Both sexes Male Female
Site Cases (thousand) Incidence(1/105) % ASR*(1/105) Site Cases (thousand) Incidence(1/105) % ASR*(1/105) Site Cases (thousand) Incidence(1/105) % ASR*(1/105)
*, age-standardized mortality rate (China population, 2000); CNS, central nervous system.
1 Lung 286.6 37.62 22.28 29.19 Lung 198.6 49.83 25.06 41.52 Lung 88.0 24.22 17.82 17.72
2 Stomach 244.3 32.06 18.99 24.76 Stomach 169.9 42.61 21.43 35.21 Esophagus 80.8 22.25 16.37 15.86
3 Esophagus 216.0 28.35 16.79 21.69 Liver 142.1 35.64 17.92 29.42 Stomach 74.4 20.49 15.08 14.85
4 Liver 200.8 26.35 15.61 20.66 Esophagus 135.2 33.91 17.05 27.88 Liver 58.7 16.15 11.88 11.97
5 Colorectum 65.1 8.54 5.06 6.66 Colorectum 36.5 9.16 4.61 7.62 Breast 46.5 12.80 9.42 9.93
6 Breast 46.5 12.80 3.61 9.93 Brain, CNS 15.0 3.76 1.89 3.33 Colorectum 28.6 7.86 5.79 5.76
7 Brain, CNS 27.9 3.67 2.17 3.09 Leukemia 13.4 3.36 1.69 3.20 Cervix 20.1 5.53 4.07 4.24
8 Leukemia 23.1 3.04 1.80 2.80 Pancreas 13.0 3.27 1.64 2.69 Brain, CNS 12.9 3.56 2.62 2.82
9 Pancreas 21.9 2.87 1.70 2.23 Bladder 7.5 1.87 0.94 1.63 Leukemia 9.7 2.68 1.97 2.38
10 Cervix 20.1 5.53 1.56 4.24 Bone 6.6 1.65 0.83 1.40 Ovary 9.3 2.56 1.88 1.99

Discussion

Population-based cancer registry in Henan province collects the information on cancer incidence cases and cancer deaths from covered population to monitor the cancer epidemics in local areas. The quality of the information was checked carefully by Henan Office for Cancer Research and Control. In 2015, all registries’ data in Henan province were qualified for the national cancer registry annual report in 2012, covering 17.1% of population in Henan province at the end of 2012.

The incidence and mortality rate in Henan province were 266.17/100,000 and 169.90/100,000 in 2012, respectively. Compared with the updated data in China (4), Henan province had higher incidence and mortality rate. Lung cancer was the most common cancer and the leading cause of death both in Henan province and in China. Cancers of upper digestive organ are still the more common cancers and cancer deaths in Henan province, accounting for 30.8% of all cancers. The age-standardized incidence rates of esophageal cancer and stomach cancer in Henan province were 91% and 43% higher than those in China respectively. In China, the 5 most common sites of cancer were lung cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, esophageal cancer and colonrectal cancer in males, while in females, the breast cancer, lung cancer, colorectum cancer, stomach cancer and liver cancer were the 5 most common cancers. The spectrum of cancers between Henan province and China showed different ranks of esophageal cancer, especially in females.

The incidence rate of all cancers in males is around 19% higher than those in females and the mortality rate is around 48% higher. In top 10 cancers, the incidence rate of lung cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer and liver cancer are more than 50% higher in males. The reasons for the higher rates in males may be related to modifiable lifestyle and environmental risk factors like smoking, alcohol and so on (5-9).

As shown in our data, the incidence rate, mortality rate and cancer ranks were quite similar between urban and rural areas in Henan province. However, the burden of upper digestive tract cancer was higher in rural areas than that in urban areas, while in contrast, the burden of female breast cancer was higher in urban areas than that in rural areas. The geographic disparities of these cancers are similar for males and females. This is in agreement with the previous study, showing that stomach cancer and esophageal cancer have a negative correlation with the economic level while female breast cancer has a positive correlation with the economic level (10-13).

Conclusions

Registration data of Henan province was qualified to provide basic information of population-based cancer incidence, mortality for cancer prevention and control. The upper digestive tract cancer burden in Henan province, especially for males in rural areas, was high. The incidence rate of female breast cancer was higher in urban areas. Targeted prevention, early detection and treatment programs should be carried out by health department to control the cancer burden.

Acknowledgments

We gratefully acknowledged the cooperation of all thepopulation-based cancer registries in Henan province for data collection, sorting, verification and database creation.

Footnotes

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare

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