Time trends in cancer mortality in the Federal Republic of Germany: progress against cancer?

Abstract

In accordance with a previous analysis of US cancer mortality, this report also indicates that cancer mortality in the FRG over the last 3 decades (1952-1985) has not shown any decline commencing in a given period and prevailing in all age groups. If present, such effects could have been interpreted as a manifestation of improvements associated with cancer treatment. The absence of such an effect, derived by using data up to 1985 and age-specific mortality rates, supports the view expressed in the US analysis that improvements in cancer treatment are unlikely to have an impact on overall cancer mortality statistics and that efforts toward prevention may be more rewarding.

PIP: Trends in cancer mortality in West Germany from 1952 to 1985 are reviewed. As with previous studies concerning the United States, the results indicate that improvements in cancer treatment have not resulted in an overall decline in age-specific cancer mortality rates. Data are from official sources.