Vol 63, No 2 (2013)
Other materials agreed with the Editors
Published online: 2013-06-10
Is there an epidemic of prostate cancer in Polish males?
Nowotwory. Journal of Oncology 2013;63(2):171-175.
Abstract
Prostate cancer belongs to malignancies that are specifi c for developed countries. Epidemiological data suggests
that, aside from bronchi, lungs, and large intestine, prostate is one of the most frequent locations of male malignancies
detected in Europe and United States. In 2008, the fraction of cancers in those aforementioned locations corresponded
to 46.2% of all male oncological patients in Poland, and the incidence rate of prostate cancer amounted
to 29.9 per 100 000. However, one should note considerable geographical variability of prostate cancer incidence in
our country. In 2008 the incidence rate of that malignancy ranged between 20.5 and 43.6 per 100 000, depending on
province. Detailed epidemiological analysis of regional data is even more conclusive. During the last 25 years, a systematic
reduction could be observed with regards to the number of new cases of bronchus/lung malignancies (the
predominant cancer location in that region) diagnosed in men from Lower Silesian province, along with increasing
incidence of colorectal and prostate malignancies. This growing tendency in prostate cancer incidence is even more
evident when relates the data to Wroclaw, the capital and the largest city of Lower Silesia. Beginning in 2004, prostate
malignancies are detected here more frequently than those aff ecting the large intestine, and in 2009 the number
of newly diagnosed prostate cancer cases was similar to that of bronchi and lungs. This data points to an increasing
frequency of prostate cancer detection. However, this increasing incidence of prostate cancer seems to be related
to progressing ageing of the population and improved diagnostic possibilities rather than to any specifi c epidemics
of this malignancy.
that, aside from bronchi, lungs, and large intestine, prostate is one of the most frequent locations of male malignancies
detected in Europe and United States. In 2008, the fraction of cancers in those aforementioned locations corresponded
to 46.2% of all male oncological patients in Poland, and the incidence rate of prostate cancer amounted
to 29.9 per 100 000. However, one should note considerable geographical variability of prostate cancer incidence in
our country. In 2008 the incidence rate of that malignancy ranged between 20.5 and 43.6 per 100 000, depending on
province. Detailed epidemiological analysis of regional data is even more conclusive. During the last 25 years, a systematic
reduction could be observed with regards to the number of new cases of bronchus/lung malignancies (the
predominant cancer location in that region) diagnosed in men from Lower Silesian province, along with increasing
incidence of colorectal and prostate malignancies. This growing tendency in prostate cancer incidence is even more
evident when relates the data to Wroclaw, the capital and the largest city of Lower Silesia. Beginning in 2004, prostate
malignancies are detected here more frequently than those aff ecting the large intestine, and in 2009 the number
of newly diagnosed prostate cancer cases was similar to that of bronchi and lungs. This data points to an increasing
frequency of prostate cancer detection. However, this increasing incidence of prostate cancer seems to be related
to progressing ageing of the population and improved diagnostic possibilities rather than to any specifi c epidemics
of this malignancy.