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This Iranian team collected data of newly diagnosed cancer cases in the Golestan province of Iran in a 5 year period from 2004 to 2008. This area previously had one of the highest oesophageal cancer rates in the world. 9007 new cancer cases were reported from 68 healthcare centres in the province and the death registry. 71% of cases had microscopic verification. Incidences were reported as age-standardised rates (ASRs) per 100,000 person-years. The ASRs were 175 and 141 in males and females, with median ages of 62 and 53 respectively. Cancers of stomach (ASR 31), oesophagus (ASR 24.3) and lung were the commonest cancers in males. In females breast cancer (ASR 27) followed by oesophagus (ASR 19) and stomach (ASR 12). The study found a decreasing trend of oesophageal cancer rates and increasing incidence of colorectal and lung cancer compared to a previous study in this area between 1968 to 1971. The trend was postulated to be attributed to better socioeconomic status and adoption of a western type lifestyle. Data collection in the study did however vary from being retrospective between 2004-2005 to prospective after that.