Prostate cancer mortality in Serbia, 1991-2010: A joinpoint regression analysis

Abstract

Background: The aim of this descriptive epidemiological study was to analyze the mortality trend of prostate cancer in Serbia (excluding the Kosovo and Metohia) from 1991 to 2010. Methods: The age-standardized prostate cancer mortality rates (per 100 000) were calculated by direct standardization, using theWorld Standard Population. Average annual percentage of change (AAPC) and the corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was computed for trend using the joinpoint regression analysis. Results: Significantly increased trend in prostate cancer mortality was recorded in Serbia continuously from 1991 to 2010 (AAPC 2.2, 95% CI 1.6-2.9). Mortality rates for prostate cancer showed a significant upward trend in all men aged 50 and over: AAPC (95% CI) was 1.9% (0.1-3.8) in aged 50-59 years, 1.7% (0.9-2.6) in aged 60-69 years, 2.0% (1.2-2.9) in aged 70-79 years and 3.5% (2.4-4.6) in aged 80 years and over. According to comparability test, prostate cancer mortality trends in majority of age groups were parallel (final selected model failed to reject parallelism, P . 0.05). Conclusion: The increasing prostate cancer mortality trend implies the need for more effective measures of prevention, screening and early diagnosis, as well as prostate cancer treatment in Serbia.