Increase in cancer of the corpus uteri in the San Francisco-Oakland standard metropolitan statistical area, 1960--75
Austin, D.F.; Roe, K.M.
Journal of the National Cancer Institute 62(1): 13-16
1979
ISSN/ISBN: 0027-8874 PMID: 281567 Document Number: 145376
A significant rise in the incidence of carcinoma of the corpus uteri in women of the San Francisco-Oakland standard metropolitan statistical area (SMSA) [California, USA] was reported by the Resource for Cancer Epidemiology. The incidence among white females increased by over 50% in the 6 yr between 1969-1975. The increase was limited to the groups over 50 yr old and to invasive cancers of the endometrial lining. The increase occurred in all 5 of the SMSA counties and, in white women in Alameda County, the average annual incidence for the 50- to 74-yr age group tripled in 15 yr. The rise was greatest in the areas of most affluence. Possible spurious causes of increase, such as changing diagnostic criteria, better case finding or better reporting were examined and ruled out. The increase may be due to the recent introduction of a potent endometrial carcinogen to the population group affected.