Incidence and mortality of female breast cancer in China, 2009

Abstract

Background: The National Cancer Registration of China provides annual updates on female breast cancer incidence and mortality.

Methods: Data on female breast cancer incidence and mortality was obtained from the population-based cancer registries around China. Based on the criteria of data quality, 72 registries' data was included for further analysis. Incidence and mortality rates of female breast cancer were calculated and stratified by age, sex, and geographical area.

Results: Female population coverage over 72 cancer registries was 42 238 968, with 28 503 924 in urban areas and 13 735 044 in rural areas. The crude cancer incidence rate in all areas was 42.55/100 000, and the age-standardize rates by Chinese population and World population were 23.16/100 000 and 28.99/100 000, respectively. The incidence rates in urban areas were much higher than those in rural areas. The crude cancer mortality was 10.24/100 000 in all areas, and age-standardized mortality rates by China and World population were 4.94/100 000 and 6.56/100 000, respectively. Age-adjusted mortality rates in urban areas were also higher than those in rural areas. Age specific incidence rates reached highest at the age group of 50-54, whereas the age specific mortality rates were highest in the age group of 85 and above.

Conclusion: Breast cancer was the most common cancer found in Chinese women in 2009 and the disease was more prevalent in urban areas than in rural areas. Systematic interventions of cancer prevention and control are needed.

Keywords: Breast cancer; China; cancer registry; incidence; mortality.