Epidemiology of cancer of the connective tissue in Canada during the period 1950-1985

Abstract

Canadian patterns of morbidity and mortality from malignancies of the connective tissue were examined for the periods 1970-1982 and 1950-1985, respectively. Age-standardized morbidity rates have risen significantly during 1970-1982 in males (P = 0.005), whereas the increase noted in females was of borderline significance (P = 0.055). Examination of age-specific morbidity rates during this period revealed that rates for the eight age groups studied in males have increased, with rates of increase for males aged 65-74 attaining statistical significance (P = 0.0006), whereas increases for males aged 0-24 and 75-84 years were of borderline significance (P less than 0.08). Age-standardized mortality rates during 1950-1985 have risen significantly for both males (0.013 additional new deaths per 100,000 population per year; P less than 0.0001) and females (0.008 additional new deaths per 100,000 population per year; P less than 0.0001). Significant rates of increase were noted in age-specific mortality rates for seven of the eight age groups studied in males (P less than 0.03) and for five of the eight age groups studied in females (P less than 0.04). The rate of increase for women aged 35-44 years was of borderline significance (P = 0.06). Rates of increase in age-specific mortality rates were greatest in males and females aged 75-84 years at 0.113 and 0.059 additional new deaths per 100,000 population per year, respectively.