2Department of Medical Oncology, Bursa High Specialized Training and Research Hospital, Bursa-Turkey DOI : 10.5505/tjo.2019.2074 OBJECTIVE
Cancer is one of the most important causes of death, both in Turkey and in the world. Cancer also causes economic burden to countries. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the data and mortality trends related to cancer using statistical methods to take primary or secondary preventive measures. In this study, we aimed to analyse the recent changes in cancer mortality via using Joinpoint Regression Analysis (JRA) method between 2009 and 2017.
METHODS
The data on cancer-related mortality in Turkey from the database of the Turkish Statistical Institute
(TurkStat) were obtained and analysed with the JRA method. Age-standardized mortality rate (ASR),
annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC) were calculated and compared
according to gender.
RESULTS
In female patients, the significant increase in mortality trends were observed in breast, gastrointestinal
system (liver, pancreas, and colon) and gynecological cancers (ovarian and corpus uteri). In male
patients, liver, pancreas, colon, lip, oral cavity, pharynx and bladder cancers were shown to increase
significantly. There was no significant increase in other cancer sites.
CONCLUSION
To our knowledge, this study is the first study that has analyzed cancer and cancer-related death trends
using JRA at the national level in Turkey. We think that our study can demonstrate the contrast trends in
cancer rates. According to these results, better health interventions could be developed to fight against
cancer and to reduce the incidence of cancer-related morbidity and mortality.