Gynaecologic cancer incidence, Kingston and St Andrew, Jamaica, 1973-1997, and gynaecologic cancer mortality, Jamaica, 1999

The incidence of gynaecologic cancers in women from Kingston and St Andrew for the period 1973-1997 were reviewed by analyzing data previously published by the Jamaica Cancer Registry. Gynaecologic cancer-related mortality statistics for the entire island for 1999 were compiled from data obtained from the Registrar General's Department (RGD) and the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (STATIN). Data were compared to gynaecologic cancer statistics for women from the United States of America for 1973-1997. A total of 2862 gynaecologic cancers were registered for the years 1973-1997, which represents 26.8 of all female cancers from Kingston and St Andrew. Cervical cancer accounted for 62 of these gynaecologic cancers. The 268 cancer-related deaths (168 due to cervical cancer) registered in Jamaican women for 1999 represent approximately 15 of all female cancer-related deaths. The present incidence (27.9 per 100,000) and mortality rate (15.8 per 100,000) of cervical cancer are much higher than that documented for American women--both African Americans and Caucasians--and signify the limited success, to date, of efforts to decrease the incidence and mortality of cervical cancer by the implementation of cervical cancer screening programmes. For the time period reviewed, an increase was noted in the incidence of cancer of the corpus uteri while decreases were recorded for the incidence of choriocarcinoma, ovarian cancer and cancers arising from the vulva, vagina and fallopian tube

Jamaica cancer mortality statistics, 1999

A total of 2697 cancer-related deaths were documented among Jamaicans for the year 1999, accounting for 17.7 of all deaths. Males accounted for 1466 and females for 1231. The age-adjusted cancer mortality rate was 171.7 per 100,000 for males, 122.0 per 100,000 for females and 140.5 per 100,000 for the total population. Leading cancer mortality sites for males were prostate, lung and stomach and in females, breast, cervix uteri and large bowel. Most deaths were recorded in the 55-64 and 65-74 year-age groups. Despite well-established cervical cancer screening programmes, the calculated mortality rate for cancer of the cervix uteri in Jamaican females (15.8 per 100,000) is approximately two and a half times that seen in African-American females.

Age-specific incidence of cancer in Kingston and St Andrew, Jamaica, 1993-1997

A total of 4285 malignant neoplasms were recorded in Kingston and St. Andrew during the period 1993-1997, 2344 in females and 1941 in males. The crude incidence rate per 100,000 (CIR) for males was 121.6 and for females 129.2. Age standardized rates per 100,000 (ASR) were 156.7 and 176.7 for males and females respectively. In males, the leading sites for cancer were prostate (619 cases), bronchus (265 cases) and large bowel (144 cases) while in females the leading sites were breast (627 cases) cervix uteri (376 cases) and large bowel (204 cases). The crude and age standardized incidence rates have remained stable as compared to those for the previous five year period (1998-1992). The leading sites for both males and females have also been maintained in the same order but there was a marked increase in prostate cancer (ASR 56.4 versus 36). Invasive cervical cancer has shown no significant change in incidence (ASR 25.2 versus 26.3) but the rate for in-situ cancers has decreased (ASR 27.4 versus 43.8). The incidence of cancer of the female breast has remained relatively stable (ASR 43.2 versus 47.1). The trends exhibited by both prostate cancer and in-situ cervical cancer probably represent the influence of screening methods for prostate cancer and ablative management for low grade dysplastic lesions of the cervix uteri respectively.

Age-specific incidence of cancer in Kingston and St Andrew, Jamaica, 1988-1992

During the period 1988 - 1992, a total of 4,030 malignant neoplasms were recorded in Kingston and St. Andrew, Jamaica. These comprised 1,829 males and 2,201 in females. Histological confirmation was obtained in 83.4 percent. The crude incidence rate for males was 128.5, and 136.2 for females. The age-standardized rates (ASR) were 179.9 for males and 166.1 for females. Age-specifics rates by site, sex and age are tabulated. Attention is drawn to increased incidence for cancers of prostate, larynx, bronchus and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in males. There was also an increase in female breast cancer (crude rate 36.0; ASR 47.1). Invasive cervix cancer has shown no significant change in incidence. Neoplasms of the body of the uterus have increased (crude rate 7.6; ASR 9.5). The rise in cancer of breast and body of uterus suggests that the influence of exogenous oestrogens should be considered