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Colorectal cancer in Denmark 1943–1988

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Abstract

Nation-wide incidence rates are presented of colorectal cancer in Denmark from 1943 to 1988. In Denmark notification of malignant and related diseases is mandatory. The percentage of histologically confirmed tumours is now 95. The annual incidence rate of colon cancer in Denmark has been increasing among men and women combined from 684 cases in 1943–47 to 2020 cases in 1988. In the same period the incidence of rectal cancer has been increasing from 762 cases in 1943–47 to 1108 cases in 1988. We analyzed the effects of age, calender time, and birth cohort with multiplicative Poisson models. We did not find consistent period effects in the models. We suggest the trends in colorectal cancer incidence rates may be due to changes in environmental factors such as dietary habits and in physical activity. Furthermore, we suggest an etiologic distinction between carcinoma of the rectum, the left colon and the right colon.

Résumé

Le taux d'incidence nationale des cancers colorectaux au Danemark entre 1943 et 1988 sont présentés. Au Danemark la notification des affections malignes est obligatoire. Le pourcentage de tumeurs histologiquement confirmées est maintenant 95. Le taux annuel d'incidence du cancer du colon au Danemark a augmenté parmi les hommes et les femmes de 684 cas en 1943–1947 à 2020 cas en 1988. Dans la même période l'incidence du cancer du rectum a augmenté de 762 cas en 1943–1947 à 1108 cas en 1988. Nous avons analysé les effets de l'âge, du calendrier et de la grossèsse avec des modèles multiplicatifs de poissons. Nous n'avons trouvé aucun effet évident de période dans les modèles. Nous suggérons que la tendance du taux de survenu des cancers colo-rectaux peut être dûe à des changements des facteurs d'environnement tels que les habitudes diététiques, l'activité physique. De plus nous suggérons une distinction étiologique entre le cancer du rectum, du colon gauche et du colon droit.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Danish Cancer Registry, Institute of Cancer Epidemiology, Danish Cancer Society, Rosenvængets Hovedvej 35, Box 839, DK-2100, København, Denmark

    C. Johansen, A. Mellemgaard, T. Skov & E. Lynge

  2. Surgical Gastroenterological Dept., Bispebjerg Hospital, University of Copenhagen, Bispebjerg Bakke 23, DK-2400, København NV, Denmark

    J. Kjærgaard

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  1. C. Johansen
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  2. A. Mellemgaard
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  3. T. Skov
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  4. J. Kjærgaard
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  5. E. Lynge
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Johansen, C., Mellemgaard, A., Skov, T. et al. Colorectal cancer in Denmark 1943–1988. Int J Colorect Dis 8, 42–47 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00341276

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