Recent patterns in stomach cancer descriptive epidemiology in the Slovak Republic with reference to international comparisons.

BACKGROUNDS Even though the incidence and mortality from stomach cancer declined dramatically, it remains the third most frequent cancer worldwide. This study analysed the incidence and resulting mortality, and possible reasons for any differences identified between the Slovak Republic and other countries. MATERIAL AND METHODS Analysis of national data covering the period from 1968 to 2006. Trends have been estimated using linear regression model and are presented with corresponding 95% Confidence Intervals (CI) and p-values with null hypothesis being constant in time. RESULTS In 2006, standardized incidence index for stomach cancer in Slovak males (related to 1968) declined by 0.28, annual percentage change was -3.2% and the average decrease of standardized incidence represented -0.956/100,000 (95% CI -1.059 to -0.853, p <0.0001). The incidence in men had statistically significantly more rapidly declining tendency in the first half of the analyzed period (1968-1986). Decrease in the mortality index was 0.32 with annual percentage change of -2.9% and the mean decrease in standardized mortality of -0.691/100,000 (95% CI -0.750 to -0.632, p < 0.0001). In 2006, the standardized incidence index for stomach cancer in Slovak females (related to 1968) declined by 0.23, annual percentage change was -3.7% and the mean decrease in standardized incidence was -0.491/100,000 (95% CI -0.554 to -0.428, p < 0.0001), the decline in incidence was more pronounced in the first half of the analyzed period. The mortality index (1968-2006) declined by 0.26, annual percentage change was -3.4% and annual decrement of standardized mortality represented -0.367/100,000 (95% CI -0.407 to -0.326, p < 0.0001). Only a non-significant change was identified for the proportions of the individual stomach cancer clinical stages with high proportion of clinical stages III and IV in both sexes. CONCLUSION Decline in the incidence and mortality appears to be decelerating, intervention in primary prevention is essential.