Trends in cancer morbidity in England and Wales.

The Office of Population Censuses and Surveys has recently published statistics relating to cancers first diagnosed in 1975. The data suggest a continuing increase in the incidence of laryngeal and bronchial carcinoma in women, malignant melanoma and testicular tumours, and a fall in the incidence of carcinoma of the lip in men. Some cancers, for example carcinoma of the oesophagus, stomach, prostate and lip, and malignant melanoma, show notable geographical variations in incidence. Carcinoma of the bladder, stomach, bronchus and (in women) larynx occur more frequently in conurbations, while rates for carcinoma of the prostate and lip are highest in rural areas. A number of interesting occupational associations emerge. Possible explanations for these and other trends are discussed.