RECENT TRENDS IN INCIDENCE RATES OF PLEURAL MESOTHELIOMA IN BRITISH-COLUMBIA

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  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 131  (9) , 1069-1071
Abstract
A total of 64 cases of pleural mesothelioma were reported in British Columbia [Canada] between 1973-1980, 54 in males and in 10 in females. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the incidence among males. Overall incidence rates were 4.9 and 0.9 per million person-years for males and females, respectively. The age distribution of the cases was roughly exponential up to age 70 yr. Almost all of the cases were clustered in Cowichan Valley, Capital and Greater Vancouver counties, where there was a high level of shipbuilding activity 30-40 yr ago. The increased incidence in males may be related to this activity, which involved exposure to asbestos.