30-year cancer trends in Jamaica. Kingston & St. Andrew (1958-1987).

A total of 19,225 malignant neoplasms were recorded in Kingston & St. Andrew, Jamaica over the 30-year period 1958-1987. The most prevalent cancers in males were those of prostate (12.2%), stomach (10.9%) and lung (10.7%). In females 24.1% of cancers occurred in breast and 20% were recorded for invasive carcinoma of the cervix. There is a steady improvement in the diagnosis of in situ cervical lesions, and a relative decline in the incidence of invasive lesions. Lung cancer in women remains at a low level. A significant decline in cancer of the oesophagus and stomach in both sexes was noted, while neoplasms of colon and rectum maintained a stable pattern. The 30-year trends of lymphomas and leukaemias have shown no increase, although there are changes in classification patterns.