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Chinese Journal of Cancer Research logoLink to Chinese Journal of Cancer Research
. 2016 Jun;28(3):301–310. doi: 10.21147/j.issn.1000-9604.2016.03.04

Cancer incidence and mortality in Gansu province, 2012

Yuqin Liu 1, Xiaodong Zhang 1, Lili Chen 1, Qin Zhao 1, Xiaojun Xia 1,
PMCID: PMC4949275  PMID: 27478315

Abstract

Objective

Population-based cancer registration data in 2012 from all available cancer registries in Gansu province were collected by the Central Cancer Registry of Gansu. The numbers of new cancer cases and cancer deaths in Gansu province with compiled cancer incidence and mortality rates were estimated.

Methods

In 2015, data from 7 registries in Gansu province were qualified. 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 Gansu 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 7 cancer registries (3 urban and 4 rural registries) covered 2,956,560 populations of Gansu province in 2012. The percentage of cases morphologically verified (MV%) and death certificate-only cases (DCO%) were 72.41% and 1.65%, respectively, and the mortality to incidence rate ratio (M/I) was 0.63. It was estimated that there were 575,600 new cancer cases and 331,300 cancer deaths in Gansu province in 2012. The incidence rate was 223.29/100,000 (244.14/100,000 in males and 201.50/100,000 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 22.49%. The crude incidence rate in urban areas was equal to that in rural areas. However, after adjusted by age, the cancer incidence rate in urban was the same as that of rural areas. The crude mortality in Gansu province was 128.54/100,000 (135.04/100,000 in males and 124.43/100,000 in females), the age-standardized mortality rates by Chinese standard population (ASMRC) and by world standard population (ASMRW) were 109.54/100,000 and 108.44/100,000, respectively, and the cumulative mortality rate (0.74 years old) was 12.91%. The crude cancer mortality rate in urban areas was higher than that of rural areas. However, the agestandardized rate in urban areas was the same as that of rural areas. Cancers of stomach, liver, lung, esophagus, female breast, colorectum, cervix, brain, pancreas and ovary were the most common cancers, accounting for about 83.56% of all cancer new cases. Stomach cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, female breast cancer, colorectal cancer, brain cancer, lymphoma, pancreatic cancer and cervix cancer were the leading causes of cancer death, accounting for about 85.58% of all cancer deaths. The burden between urban and rural, males and females was different.

Conclusions

Registration data of Gansu province were qualified to provide basic information on population-based cancer incidence, mortality for cancer prevention and control. The digestive tract cancer burden in Gansu 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, Gansu 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 Gansu province, China (1). Since 2012, Central Cancer Registry of Gansu began publishing cancer registry annual report. 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 Gansu province in 2012.

Materials and method

Data source

The Central Cancer Registry of Gansu is in charge of population-based cancer registry in Gansu 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. Seven cancer registries in Gansu province submitted 2012 data to Central Cancer Registry of Gansu. All cancer cases were classified according to the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, 3rd edition (ICDO- 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 Gansu provincial registry system in 2012.

Population of Gansu province estimates

The population of Gansu 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 Gansu 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

The Central Cancer Registry of Gansu checked and evaluated the quality and comparability of submitted data based on "Guideline for Chinese Cancer Registration", 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 was used for data checking and evaluation (3). SAS software (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, USA) was used to calculate the incidence and mortality rates.

Result

Data quality

There were 7 registries in Gansu province accepted by this analysis, including 3 cities and 4 counties, and covering 2,956,560 of populations, including 1,523,503 males and 1,433,057 females, accounted for 11.47% of population of Gansu province in the end of 2012.

The overall indicators of MV%, DCO% and M/I ratio were 72.41%,1.65% and 0.61, respectively. They were 75.22%,0.40% and 0.63 in urban registries, compared to 62.94%,5.88% and 0.54 in rural. The quality evaluation for major cancers is presented in Table 1.

1.

Quality evaluation of cancer registration data in Gansu province, 2012

Cancer All areas Urban Rural
MV (%) DCO (%) M/I MV (%) DCO (%) M/I MV (%) DCO (%) M/I
MV%, percentage of morphological verification; DCO%, percentage of cancer cases identified with death certification only; M/I, mortality to incidence rate ratio; CNS, central nervous system.
Oral & pharyngx 61.90 1.59 0.27 57.45 0.00 0.28 75.00 6.25 0.25
Nasopharynx 55.00 2.50 0.60 50.00 0.00 0.81 64.29 7.14 0.21
Esophagus 79.98 0.49 0.64 82.32 0.00 0.63 63.00 4.00 0.67
Stomach 79.72 0.53 0.65 80.60 0.06 0.65 75.74 2.66 0.68
Colorectum 80.29 1.45 0.39 83.66 0.50 0.40 62.82 6.41 0.37
Liver 50.68 3.94 0.92 48.26 1.34 1.02 54.98 8.53 0.74
Gallbladder 56.14 1.75 1.32 57.14 1.02 1.44 50.00 6.25 0.56
Pancreas 49.57 4.27 0.73 49.28 1.45 0.72 50.00 8.33 0.73
Throat 81.82 0.00 0.73 71.43 0.00 1.14 100.00 0.00 0.00
Lung 55.65 1.91 0.64 59.84 0.59 0.61 43.35 5.78 0.71
Other organs in chest 60.00 5.00 0.25 56.25 0.00 0.31 75.00 25.00 0.00
Bone 44.12 5.88 0.62 39.58 2.08 0.73 55.00 15.00 0.35
Skin melanoma 100.00 0.00 0.35 100.00 0.00 0.38 100.00 0.00 0.00
Breast 83.61 1.04 0.29 88.59 0.27 0.31 67.54 3.51 0.22
Cervix 78.61 3.31 0.26 83.78 0.45 0.28 68.18 9.09 0.21
Uterus 84.76 2.86 0.31 90.14 0.00 0.41 73.53 8.82 0.12
Ovary 74.02 3.15 0.23 79.31 0.00 0.18 62.50 10.00 0.33
Prostate 50.00 2.38 0.48 56.67 0.00 0.47 33.33 8.33 0.50
Testis 60.00 0.00 0.20 60.00 0.00 0.20 0.00 0.00 0.00
Kidney 65.15 6.06 0.52 67.35 2.04 0.49 58.82 17.65 0.59
Bladder 75.76 1.01 0.52 77.63 0.00 0.53 69.57 4.35 0.48
Brain, CNS 42.01 2.96 0.61 48.04 0.98 0.70 32.84 5.97 0.48
Thyroid gland 72.88 5.08 0.36 82.50 2.50 0.45 52.63 10.53 0.16
Lymphoma 100.00 0.00 1.33 100.00 0.00 1.63 100.00 0.00 0.48
Leukemia 100.00 0.00 0.77 100.00 0.00 0.79 100.00 0.00 0.72
Total 72.41 1.65 0.61 75.22 0.40 0.63 62.94 5.88 0.54

Incidence and mortality of overall cancer.

Incidence

It was estimated that there were 575,600 new cases diagnosed as cancer in Gansu province in 2012. The crude incidence rate of all cancers was 223.29/100,000 (244.14/100,000 in males and 201.50/100,000 in females). The age-standardized incidence rates by Chinese standard population (ASIRC) and by world standard population (ASIRW) were 187.78/100,000 and 185.41/100,000, respectively. Among the cancer patients aged 0-74 years, the cumulative incidence rate was 22.49%. The crude incidence rate in rural areas was higher than that in urban areas. However, after adjusted by age, the cancer incidence rate in urban was higher than that in rural areas (Table 2).

2.

Cancer incidence in Gansu 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 575.6 223.29 187.78 185.41 22.49
All areas Male 321.6 244.14 206.90 206.34 26.19
Female 254.0 201.50 168.74 164.45 18.75
Both 215.0 215.22 195.22 194.32 24.05
Urban Male 127.8 247.88 229.86 232.23 29.94
Female 87.1 180.36 160.99 156.98 18.28
Both 360.6 228.40 184.00 180.86 21.67
Rural Male 193.8 241.74 195.02 192.94 24.25
Female 166.8 214.65 172.88 168.39 19.03

Age-specific incidence rate

The age-specific incidence rate was relatively lower before 35 years old, then increased dramatically and peaked at age group of 70-74 years. The pattern was similar between urban and rural areas. Comparing the age-specific incidence rate between urban and rural areas, except age of 25-39,50-79 and 80+years, urban areas had lower incidence rates than rural areas (Figure 1, Table 3).

1.

1

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

3.

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

Age groups All areas Urban Rural
Both Male Female Both Male Female Both Male Female
Total 223.29 244.14 201.50 215.22 247.88 180.36 228.40 241.74 214.65
0- 11.61 2.69 22.11 5.25 9.73 0.00 14.04 0.00 30.56
1- 10.71 4.65 17.86 10.37 4.26 17.57 10.86 4.83 17.99
5- 8.70 7.62 9.95 8.63 6.49 11.13 8.74 8.19 9.36
10- 9.12 9.80 8.35 12.24 11.77 12.78 7.61 8.84 6.24
15- 11.41 7.76 15.28 9.30 9.36 9.23 12.74 6.74 19.03
20- 20.79 22.99 18.65 17.94 15.27 20.74 23.05 29.50 17.10
25- 24.22 17.79 30.53 32.32 27.64 36.87 17.35 9.53 25.11
30- 45.84 29.06 63.09 50.60 29.31 72.48 41.46 28.82 54.45
35- 97.48 83.75 111.51 77.68 72.51 83.23 112.21 92.49 131.60
40- 205.27 147.87 264.32 142.22 108.21 179.56 244.74 174.02 314.58
45- 253.40 213.20 295.46 238.84 208.15 272.41 262.57 216.50 309.46
50- 336.86 331.58 342.62 440.65 463.30 416.40 269.43 247.25 293.92
55- 601.00 675.16 523.38 645.78 789.08 492.37 576.10 610.73 540.32
60- 775.54 1,018.51 529.00 977.90 1,276.55 677.72 676.18 892.70 455.45
65- 908.90 1,170.03 644.42 952.75 1,351.36 588.74 887.15 1,086.85 674.24
70- 1,187.64 1,499.40 873.94 1,194.42 1,612.65 767.71 1,183.77 1,433.94 934.03
75- 984.34 1,340.51 637.79 920.15 1,254.97 559.49 1,019.92 1,391.85 677.91
80- 892.78 1,106.30 686.89 902.99 1,111.34 666.48 886.77 1,102.92 697.44
85+ 886.53 688.08 1,046.24 529.14 763.67 312.24 1,080.24 642.00 1,407.06

Mortality

It was estimated that there were 33,130 people died from cancer in Gansu province in 2012. The crude mortality of all cancers in Gansu province was 128.54/100,000 (156.55/100,000 in males and 99.27/100,000 in females). The age-standardized mortality rates by Chinese standard population (ASMRC) andby world standard population (ASMRW) were 109.24/100,000 and 108.44/100,000, respectively. Among the patients aged 0-74 years, the cumulative mortality rate was 12.91%. The crude cancer mortality rate and age-standardized rate in urban areas were higher than that in rural areas (Table 4).

4.

Cancer mortality in Gansu province, 2012

Area Sex Deaths (hundred) Mortality (1/105) ASMRC (1/105)* ASMRW (1/105)** Accumulated rate0-74 (%)
*, age-standardized mortality rate (China population, 2000); **, age-standardized mortality rate (Segi’s population).
Both 331.3 128.54 109.24 108.44 12.91
All areas Male 206.2 156.55 134.60 133.09 16.17
Female 125.1 99.27 83.58 83.38 9.60
Both 134.9 135.04 124.31 122.29 14.45
Urban Male 84.6 164.05 154.53 153.21 18.33
Female 50.3 104.09 93.72 91.21 10.62
Both 196.5 124.43 100.58 100.57 12.07
Rural Male 121.6 151.73 123.49 122.08 15.05
Female 74.8 96.28 77.34 78.42 9.01

Age-specific mortality

The age-specific mortality rate was relatively lower before 45 years and then dramatically increased, reaching peak after 75 years (Figure 2, Table 5). 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 70years, urban areas had higher mortality rates than rural areas.

2.

2

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

5.

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

Age groups All areas Urban Rural
Both Male Female Both Male Female Both Male Female
Total 128.54 156.55 99.27 135.04 164.05 104.09 124.43 151.73 96.28
0- 10.16 0.00 22.11 0.00 0.00 0.00 14.04 0.00 30.56
1- 3.69 3.32 4.12 0.00 0.00 0.00 5.36 4.83 6.00
5- 5.11 4.00 6.38 6.58 6.49 6.68 4.37 2.73 6.24
10- 6.80 9.91 3.29 5.10 6.36 3.65 7.61 11.64 3.12
15- 5.70 5.22 6.21 6.13 8.14 3.95 5.44 3.37 7.61
20- 6.29 9.73 2.94 6.27 5.65 6.91 6.31 13.16 0.00
25- 9.80 10.25 9.37 15.40 19.63 11.29 5.07 2.38 7.73
30- 17.18 18.40 15.93 19.85 15.92 23.90 14.72 20.69 8.60
35- 32.38 34.75 29.97 35.63 42.35 28.41 29.97 28.84 31.08
40- 78.90 81.43 76.29 63.61 55.49 72.52 88.47 98.53 78.52
45- 90.92 98.09 83.42 102.06 85.04 120.66 83.90 106.60 60.80
50- 145.75 150.44 140.62 192.72 202.36 182.41 115.23 117.21 113.04
55- 292.73 351.12 231.63 355.89 437.37 268.68 257.62 302.34 211.40
60- 429.91 610.26 246.90 555.25 791.37 317.93 368.36 521.95 211.78
65- 637.99 843.66 429.69 686.93 938.28 457.39 613.72 800.25 414.86
70- 818.15 1,004.70 630.45 838.45 1,052.27 620.30 806.54 977.20 636.18
75- 1,021.21 1,413.17 639.84 1,273.21 1,719.61 792.35 881.48 1,229.24 561.70
80- 979.51 1,243.71 724.75 1,233.72 1,565.67 856.90 829.92 1,027.98 656.41
85+ 989.71 742.88 1,188.35 652.74 763.67 550.14 1,172.36 730.21 1,502.08

Incidence and mortality for major cancer

Cancer incidence for the 10 most common cancers

Stomach cancer was the most common cancer in all areas, followed by liver cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer and female breast cancer. With estimated new cases of 14,241,6,379,6,154,5,281 and 4,045, respectively. Stomach cancer was the most frequently diagnosed cancers in males, followed by liver cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer, and colorectal cancer. Female breast cancer was the most common cancers in females followed by stomach cancer, cervix cancer, lung cancer and liver cancer (Table 6).

6.

Top 10 cancer incidence in Gansu 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 Stomach 142.4 55.25 24.74 45.86 Stomach 104.2 79.11 32.40 66.23 Breast 40.4 32.03 15.90 26.90
2 Liver 63.8 24.75 11.08 20.52 Liver 47.2 35.79 14.66 29.65 Stomach 38.2 30.31 15.04 24.95
3 Lung 61.5 23.88 10.69 19.92 Lung 41.9 31.83 13.04 26.63 Cervix 34.3 27.25 13.52 21.92
4 Esophagus 52.8 20.49 9.18 17.29 Esophagus 38.9 29.49 12.08 25.30 Lung 19.6 15.56 7.72 13.13
5 Breast 40.4 32.03 7.03 26.90 Colorectum 18.9 14.34 5.87 12.40 Liver 16.6 13.20 6.55 11.07
6 Colorectum 34.7 13.47 6.03 11.26 Brain,CNS 10.1 7.69 3.15 6.70 Colorectum 15.8 12.55 6.23 10.08
7 Cervix 34.3 27.25 5.97 21.92 Pancreas 8.6 6.54 2.68 6.00 Esophagus 14.0 11.08 5.50 9.17
8 Brain,CNS 18.9 7.33 3.28 6.37 Bladder 7.0 5.33 2.18 4.55 Ovary 12.8 10.18 5.05 8.62
9 Pancreas 13.2 5.14 2.30 4.63 Lymphoma 6.9 5.20 2.13 4.52 Uterus 10.3 8.14 4.04 6.66
10 Ovary 12.8 10.18 2.23 9.17 Prostate 3.8 2.88 1.18 2.70 Brain,CNS 8.8 6.96 3.45 6.03

Cancer death of the top 10 cancers

Stomach cancer was the leading cause of death in Gansu province followed by liver cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer and colorectal cancer with estimated deaths of 9,522,5167,4,180,3,392 and 1,309, respectively. In males, stomach cancer was the leading cause followed by liver cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer and colorectal cancer; while in females, stomach cancer was still the leading cause followed by lung cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, and esophageal cancer (Table 7).

7.

Top 10 cancer mortality in Gansu 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 Stomach 95.2 36.94 28.74 31.33 Stomach 68.4 51.90 33.15 44.46 Stomach 26.9 21.30 21.46 18.03
2 Liver 51.7 20.05 15.59 16.64 Liver 37.0 28.12 17.96 23.48 Lung 15.2 12.02 12.11 9.95
3 Lung 41.8 16.22 12.62 13.54 Lung 26.7 20.23 12.92 17.09 Liver 14.6 11.61 11.69 9.59
4 Esophagus 33.9 13.16 10.24 11.19 Esophagus 25.1 19.05 12.17 16.36 Breast 10.3 8.19 8.25 6.65
5 Colorectum 13.1 5.08 3.95 4.39 Colorectum 7.0 5.31 3.39 4.76 Esophagus 8.8 7.01 7.06 5.92
6 Breast 10.3 8.19 3.18 6.65 Lymphoma 6.3 4.77 3.05 4.09 Cervix 7.9 6.23 6.27 5.20
7 Brain,CNS 10.2 3.97 3.08 3.49 Pancreas 6.2 4.69 3.00 4.38 Colorectum 6.1 4.84 4.88 4.02
8 Lymphoma 9.9 3.82 2.97 3.29 Brain,CNS 5.6 4.25 2.72 3.65 Gallbladder 5.3 4.24 4.27 3.50
9 Pancreas 9.4 3.65 2.84 3.28 Bladder 3.1 2.36 1.51 2.02 Brain,CNS 4.6 3.67 3.69 3.32
10 Cervix 7.9 6.23 2.37 5.20 Leukemia 3.1 2.33 1.49 2.25 Ovary 3.6 2.86 2.89 2.34

Cancer incidence of the 10 most common cancers in urban areas

In urban areas, stomach cancer was the most frequently diagnosed cancers, followed by esophageal cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer and female breast cancer with the estimated new cases of 6,227,2,894,2,058,1,648 and 1,529 respectively. The most common sites of cancer were stomach, esophagus, lung, liver and colorectum in males, while in females, cancers of breast, stomach, cervix, esophagus and colorectum were the most common cancers (Table 8).

8.

Top 10 cancer incidence in urban areas of Gansu 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 Stomach 62.3 62.34 28.97 56.28 Stomach 47.9 92.95 37.50 85.47 Breast 15.2 31.48 17.45 27.57
2 Esophagus 28.9 28.97 13.46 26.40 Esophagus 21.1 40.82 16.47 37.98 Stomach 14.3 29.68 16.46 26.48
3 Lung 20.6 20.60 9.57 18.69 Lung 14.3 27.71 11.18 25.80 Cervix 8.8 18.26 10.12 15.63
4 Colorectum 16.5 16.50 7.67 15.06 Liver 11.5 22.28 8.99 20.37 Esophagus 7.9 16.33 9.05 14.61
5 Breast 15.2 31.48 7.11 27.57 Colorectum 9.4 18.23 7.35 17.29 Colorectum 7.1 14.65 8.12 12.84
6 Liver 15.2 15.21 7.07 13.71 Lymphoma 2.5 4.85 1.96 4.49 Lung 6.3 13.02 7.22 11.58
7 Cervix 8.8 18.26 4.10 15.63 Bladder 2.4 4.58 1.85 4.23 Liver 3.7 7.66 4.25 6.86
8 Brain,CNS 4.4 4.36 2.02 4.00 Brain,CNS 2.3 4.38 1.77 3.85 Ovary 3.7 7.64 4.23 6.94
9 Gallbladder 4.0 3.96 1.84 3.59 Gallbladder 2.0 3.82 1.54 3.59 Uterus 2.8 5.75 3.19 4.98
10 Lymphoma 3.8 3.83 1.78 3.54 Pancreas 1.9 3.76 1.52 3.64 Brain,CNS 2.1 4.33 2.40 4.15

Cancer death of the top 10 cancers in urban areas

Stomach cancer was the leading cause of cancer death in urban areas for both males and females with estimated number of deaths of 3,026 and 972, respectively. Other cancer types withhigh mortality in males were esophageal cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer and lymphoma. In females, esophageal cancer was the second cause of cancer death, followed by breast cancer, liver cancer and gallbladder cancer (Table 9).

9.

Top 10 cancer mortality in urban areas in Gansu 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 Stomach 40.0 40.03 29.64 37.16 Stomach 30.3 58.68 35.77 55.59 Stomach 9.7 20.12 19.33 18.43
2 Esophagus 18.1 18.09 13.40 16.74 Esophagus 13.1 25.35 15.45 23.92 Esophagus 5.0 10.35 9.94 9.46
3 Liver 15.4 15.40 11.40 14.02 Liver 11.1 21.49 13.10 19.79 Breast 4.4 9.07 8.71 7.96
4 Lung 12.6 12.58 9.31 11.65 Lung 8.7 16.83 10.26 16.01 Liver 4.3 8.90 8.55 8.10
5 Colorectum 6.5 6.49 4.80 6.06 Lymphoma 3.4 6.50 3.96 6.02 Gallbladder 3.9 8.05 7.74 7.10
6 Lymphoma 6.3 6.34 4.69 5.67 Colorectum 3.3 6.38 3.89 6.15 Lung 3.9 8.03 7.72 7.21
7 Gallbladder 5.7 5.74 4.25 5.19 Gallbladder 1.8 3.57 2.18 3.36 Colorectum 3.2 6.60 6.34 5.92
8 Breast 4.4 9.07 3.41 7.96 Pancreas 1.4 2.73 1.67 2.49 Lymphoma 3.0 6.17 5.93 5.32
9 Brain,CNS 3.0 3.00 2.22 2.88 Bladder 1.4 2.70 1.64 2.58 Cervix 2.5 5.17 4.97 4.47
10 Cervix 2.5 5.17 1.85 4.47 Brain,CNS 1.4 2.66 1.62 2.60 Brain,CNS 1.6 3.37 3.24 3.15

Cancer incidence of the 10 most common cancers in rural areas

Stomach cancer was the most frequently diagnosed cancers with estimated new cases of 8,014 and incidence rate of 50.76/100,000, followed by liver cancer, lung cancer, cervix cancer and female breast cancer. The most common sites of cancer in males were stomach, liver, lung, esophagus and colorectum, while in females, they were cervix, breast, stomach, lung and liver (Table 10).

10.

Top 10 cancer incidence in rural areas of Gansu 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 Stomach 80.1 50.76 22.22 39.99 Stomach 56.3 70.21 29.04 55.57 Cervix 25.5 32.84 15.30 25.96
2 Liver 48.6 30.78 13.48 24.48 Liver 35.7 44.48 18.40 35.07 Breast 25.2 32.38 15.08 26.26
3 Lung 41.0 25.94 11.36 20.53 Lung 27.6 34.48 14.26 27.09 Stomach 23.9 30.70 14.30 23.88
4 Cervix 25.5 32.84 7.08 25.96 Esophagus 17.8 22.21 9.19 18.53 Lung 13.3 17.14 7.99 13.89
5 Breast 25.2 32.38 6.98 26.26 Colorectum 9.5 11.84 4.90 9.51 Liver 12.9 16.65 7.76 13.52
6 Esophagus 23.9 15.12 6.62 12.33 Brain,CNS 7.9 9.82 4.06 8.52 Ovary 9.1 11.76 5.48 9.53
7 Colorectum 18.2 11.55 5.06 8.99 Pancreas 6.7 8.33 3.45 7.54 Colorectum 8.7 11.25 5.24 8.44
8 Brain,CNS 14.6 9.22 4.04 7.81 Bladder 4.7 5.81 2.40 4.76 Uterus 7.5 9.63 4.48 7.63
9 Pancreas 10.4 6.58 2.88 5.81 Lymphoma 4.4 5.43 2.24 4.37 Brain,CNS 6.7 8.60 4.00 7.04
10 Ovary 9.1 11.76 2.53 9.53 Prostate 2.6 3.24 1.34 3.01 Esophagus 6.1 7.81 3.64 6.16

Cancer death of the top 10 cancers in rural areas

Stomach cancer was the leading cause of cancer death in rural areas for both males and females. The number of deaths on stomach cancer in rural were 5,524 with mortality of 34.99/100,000. The other cancer types with high mortality were liver cancer, lung cancer, esophageal cancer and pancreatic cancer in males; and lung cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer and cervix cancer in females (Table 11).

11.

Top 10 cancer mortality in rural areas of Gansu 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 Stomach 55.2 34.99 28.12 28.10 Stomach 38.1 47.54 31.33 38.31 Stomach 17.1 22.04 22.89 17.74
2 Liver 36.3 22.99 18.47 18.13 Liver 26.0 32.38 21.34 25.65 Lung 11.3 14.50 15.06 11.35
3 Lung 29.2 18.52 14.88 14.55 Lung 18.0 22.42 14.77 17.69 Liver 10.3 13.29 13.81 10.39
4 Esophagus 15.9 10.04 8.07 8.22 Esophagus 12.0 14.99 9.88 12.30 Breast 5.9 7.64 7.94 5.73
5 Pancreas 7.4 4.66 3.75 4.19 Pancreas 4.8 5.95 3.92 5.72 Cervix 5.4 6.88 7.15 5.71
6 Brain,CNS 7.2 4.57 3.68 3.80 Brain,CNS 4.2 5.28 3.48 4.23 Esophagus 3.8 4.93 5.12 4.03
7 Colorectum 6.6 4.19 3.36 3.44 Colorectum 3.7 4.62 3.04 3.87 Brain,CNS 3.0 3.85 4.00 3.32
8 Breast 5.9 7.64 3.02 5.73 Lymphoma 2.9 3.66 2.41 2.81 Ovary 3.0 3.82 3.97 2.97
9 Cervix 5.4 6.88 2.72 5.71 Leukemia 2.1 2.66 1.75 2.50 Colorectum 2.9 3.74 3.89 3.02
10 Leukemia 3.8 2.38 1.91 2.22 Bladder 1.7 2.15 1.41 1.68 Pancreas 2.6 3.33 3.46 2.64

Discussion

Cancer registries in Gansu province collect 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 cancer registries in Gansu province. In 2015, all registries’ data in Gansu province were qualified for the national cancer registry annual report in 2012, covering 11.47% of population of Gansu province at the end of 2012.

The incidence and mortality rates in Gansu province were 223.29/100,000 and 128.54/100,000 in 2012, respectively. Compared with the updated data in China (4), Gansu province had higher cancer incidence and mortality rates. Stomach cancer was the most common cancer and the leading cause of death in Gansu province. Cancers of digestive organs are still the more common cancers and cancer deaths in Gansu province, accounting for 53.33% of all cancers. In China, the 5 most common sites of cancer are lung, stomach, liver, esophagus and colorectum in males, and breast, lung, colorectum, stomach and liver in females. The spectrum of cancers between Gansu province and China showed different ranks of stomach, lung, liver in males and different ranks of stomach, lung and cervix in females. In Gansu province, weshould give priority to cancers with poor results, and besides there was still one thing should be mentioned that cervix cancer stays in the top of incidence in rural areas. On this account, we should strengthen the knowledge of the prevention of cervix cancer in rural areas.

The incidence rate of all cancers in males was about 21.16% higher than that in females and the mortality rate was about 57.70% higher. In the top 10 cancers, the incidence rates of lung cancer, stomach cancer, esophageal cancer and liver cancer were over 55.69% 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 Gansu province. However, the burden of digestive tract cancers was higher in rural areas (70.66%) than in urban areas (59.01%). The burden of female breast cancer in urban areas was higher, but in rural areas, cervix cancer was the burden.

Conclusions

Registration data of Gansu province were qualified to provide basic information on population-based cancer incidence, mortality for cancer prevention and control. The digestive tract cancer burden in Gansu province was higher. The incidence rate of female breast cancer was high in urban areas, while cervix cancer in rural areas was high. Therefore, 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 the population-based cancer registries in Gansu province for datacollection, sorting, verification and database creation.

Footnotes

Conflict of Interest: The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

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