Decade-long trends in prostate cancer incidence and mortality in Poland, 1999-2012

Introduction: In Poland, prostate cancer is the second most common cancer and third leading cause of cancer death among men. Understanding trends in prostate cancer incidence and mortality can inform efforts for prostate cancer prevention and control, yet information on national trends is lacking. Aim: This study examined temporal trends in prostate cancer incidence and mortality in Poland for the years 1999-2012. Ma t e r i a l and me thods: Data on prostate cancer cases and deaths in Poland were provided by the Polish National Cancer Registry (PNCR). For each year, age-standardized incidence and mortality rates were calculated overall, as well as for each vovoideship, urban and rural regions, and age category. Re sul t s and di s cus s ion: The overall standardized incidence rate in Poland was found to double during this time period, from 17.39 cases per 100,000 person-years in 1999, to 36.12 in 2012. In contrast, standardized mortality rates remained stable, with 11.89 deaths per 100,000 person-years in 1999 and 12.41 deaths per 100,000 person-years in 2012. Standardized incidence and mortality varied by vovoideship. Standardized incidence but not mortality was higher in urban regions. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the utility of using PNCR data for cancer epidemiologic research and identifies trends in prostate cancer incidence and mortality that require further inquiry.