Increase in cancer of the corpus uteri in the San Francisco-Oakland standard metropolitan statistical area, 1960--75

Abstract

A significant rise in the incidence of carcinoma of the corpus uteri in women of the San Francisco-Oakland standard metropolitan statistical area (SMSA) was reported by the Resource for Cancer Epidemiology. The incidence among white females increased by over 50% in the 6 years between 1969 and 1975. The increase was limited to the groups over 50 years old and to invasive cancers of the endometrial lining. The increase occurred in all five of the SMSA counties and, in white women in Aalmeda County, the average annual incidence for the 50- to 74-year age group tripled in 15 years. The rise was greatest in the areas of most affluence. Possible spurious causes of increase, such as changing diagnostic criteria, better case finding, or better reporting were examined and ruled out. The data suggested that the increase was due to the recent introduction of a potent endometrial carcinogen to the population group affected.