OBJECTIVETo understand the current epidemiological characteristics as well as the trends of stomach cancer deaths in China.

METHODSThe data of stomach cancer mortalities in 2004 - 2005, from 158 sampling areas in the Third National Retrospective Sampling Survey of Death Causes in China, were analyzed and compared with the results from previous two national surveys.

RESULTSThe crude and age-standardized death rates of stomach cancer were 24.71/100 000 (35 250/142 660 482) and 16.16/100 000, respectively, accounted for 18.19% (35 250/193 841) and ranking third of cancer causes in the national sampling areas of China in 2004 - 2005. Those crude death rate increased by 42.01% while the age-standardized death rate decreased by 8.70% compared to the results in 1973 - 1975 (17.40/100 000 and 17.70/100 000), and both decreased 1.79% and 25.74% from 1990 - 1992 (25.16/100 000 and 21.76/100 000), respectively. For urban residents of the sampling areas, the crude and age-standardized death rates of stomach cancer were 22.98/100 000 (11 005/47 899 806) and 13.63/100 000, accounted for 15.03% (11 005/71 936) of cancer causes in 2004 - 2005, which increased by 18.21% and decreased by 31.16% from 1973 - 1975 (19.44/100 000 and 19.80/100 000), and increased by 18.21% and decreased by 11.15% from 1990 - 1992 (19.44/100 000 and 15.34/100 000), respectively. While for rural residents in the sampling areas, the crude and age-standardized death rates were 25.59/100 000 (24 245/94 760 676) and 17.64/100 000, accounted for 19.89% (24 245/121 905) of cancer causes, both increased by 53.97% and 3.76% from 1973 - 1975 (16.62/100 000 and 17.00/100 000), and both decreased by 5.78% and 27.59% from 1990 - 1992 (27.16/100 000 and 24.36/100 000), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe current stomach cancer is still one of predominant cancers in China. The consistently substantial decreases in age-standardized death rates of stomach cancer might prompt the beneficial impact on reducing the risks for that cancer by the social economical development during recent decades in China.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cause of Death ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Data Collection ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Sampling Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; epidemiology ; mortality ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo analyze and predict the trend in mortality rate of stomach cancer in twenty years in China.

METHODSStomach cancer mortality data collected from the China national survey over the period 1970s - 1990s for the cause of death were analyzed.

RESULTSThe adjusted mortality rate of stomach cancer in 1990s increased by 11.0% and 6.3% for males and females, respectively. The urban mortality in 1970s was slightly higher than the rural mortality, while in 1990s the rural mortality rate was about 60% higher than the urban mortality. In 1990s, the adjusted urban mortality rate decreased by 22.2% and 26.7% for males and females, respectively. In contrast, the rural mortality rate increased by 26.4% and 22.1% for males and females, respectively. The sex ratio of stomach cancer deaths in 1990s, both in cities and rural areas, was slightly greater than that in 1970s, being more marked in the latter areas. In 1990s, the mortality rate decreased in 12 provinces, accounting for 44% in both sexes (12/27), but the decrease was more marked for females than for males except in Kiangs province. In provinces where the increased rates ranked top six positions, the magnitude of increase in rates was higher in males than in females.

CONCLUSIONThe overall mortality rates of stomach cancer in the past 20 years in China presented an increasing trend, despite there were upward and downward changes in 27 provinces and decrease in cities while increase in rural areas. Compared with other countries, the world-adjusted mortality rate of stomach cancer for both sexes in China ranks first. The increasing trend in stomach cancer mortality was seen in the older age groups (> 60 years) while a decreasing trend was seen in the younger age groups (30 - 59 years). Aging of the population could be an important factor responsible for the increase in mortality rates of stomach cancer in China.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sex Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms ; mortality