Cancer del estomago en Costa Rica: Incidencia y mortalidad / Stomach cancer in Costa Rica: Incidence and mortality

ABSTRACT

Stomach cancer incidence and mortality in Costa Rica are analyzed by sex and age group in the affected population over the period 1956-1985. Mortality has been irregular, ranging from 55.2 per 100 000 inhabitants in men and 32.4 per 1000 000 in women for the 1956-1957 biennium, to 48.9 and 23.7 per 100 000, respectively, in 1982-1983. In recent years there has been a rising trend among males, the average mortality has been aproximately 50 per 100 000 inhabitants; for women, the rate has been around 30 per 100 000. The incidence showed a slight tendency to decline in both sexes, although the decline was more pronounced among women. The group most affected was that of men over age 45. Both incidence and mortality from this disease continue to be high- comparable to rates in countries such a Japan and Chile. The significant drop observed in these rates in recent years in the international community has not been fully reflected in Costa Rica. Consequently, interest should by fostered and efforts made to improve the diagnosis and treatment of stomach cancer in this country