PROBLEMS IN DETERMINING THE INCIDENCE OF CERVICAL-CANCER

  • 1 January 1983
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 129  (12) , 1271-1273
Abstract
Since cancer registries have different recording practices, the incidence rates that they report must be compared with caution. Indexes of reliability of recording indicated that in 1971 the reported incidence of cervical cancer in Ontario, Canada was too high. In 1971 Ontario used a method of passive reporting of cancer cases: the Ontario Cancer Registry linked hospital reports, death certificates and reports from the Ontario Cancer Treatment and Research Foundation''s treatment centers to produce a single record for each case. Pathological confirmation was requested for cases, thus recorded by the registry. In 26% of cases a diagnosis other than cervical cancer was indicated. With these cases omitted, the incidence rate became 15.1/100,000, as opposed to the 20.5/100,000 reported by the registry.