| Popis: |
A database was created by the authors to collect data on breast cancer epidemiology in a local health organisation of Naples. Data on women residing in the territory of the local health organisation and who had received a diagnosis of breast cancer, based on clinical, radiological, and pathology criteria, between 1 January 1995 and 31 December 2003, was collected through linkage of various data sources. Overall, 475 new cases were identified in women aged over 34 years at diagnosis. Though yearly raw incidence rates show an increasing trend, this was not confirmed by subsequent analysis of standardized rates. The age-specific incidence curve depicts a sharp increase from ages 30 to 50-54 years and a slower rise after the menopause, analogously to what has been shown for Europe. Standardised morbidity rates in the examined period (1996-2003) are lower than those detected by the pool of Italian tumour registries (Italian Association of Tumor Registries - AIRT) but similar to those observed by the two Campania regional tumour registries. Standardised mortality rates were found to be similar to those observed by the AIRT Pool and by the two regional registries. Age-specific mortality rates indicate three levels of risk: low-risk below 39 years of age, intermediate risk between 40-59 years of age and high risk = 60 years. |
