© 2002 by Oxford University Press
Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol. 94, No. 10, 708-710,
May 15, 2002
© 2002 Oxford University Press
NEWS |
New Uniform Population Standard Better Reflects U.S. Cancer Burden
When new U.S. cancer incidence and mortality rates are compared with older data, the differences appear startling: 22% more rectal cancer and an 18% increase in female breast cancer.
But rather than revealing an abrupt and staggering surge in cancer cases, they instead reflect a decade-long federal effort to improve cancer statistical data reporting by adjusting rates to a single new population "standard" based on the year 2000 U.S. census.
"Unless you understand that this reflects a change in the statistical methodology rather than an increase in cancer rates, there will be confusion, disappointment, and concern that something has happened to our continuing progress against cancer," said Brenda K. Edwards, Ph.D., associate director of the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance Research Program.
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"We want to understand, confess, and educate, but we don’t want people to be derailed by focusing on increases
Rates Appear Higher
Comparing Apples to Apples
Varying Foreign Standards
Data Improvements Under Way