Comparison of Time Trends in Ovary Cancer Mortality (1990-2006) in the World, from the WHO Mortality Database

Abstract

Mortality data, abstracted from the World Health Organization (WHO) database, are available for various countries.We used ovary cancer mortality (ICD-10: C00 -C97, B21) in 10 countries during the period 1990 -2006.These countries were Japan, China (Hong Kong) and the Republic of Korea (Asian countries); the United States of America (USA); Australia; the United Kingdom (UK), Italy, Spain, France and Germany (European countries).For the USA, Spain and France, data were available only for 1990 -2005; and for Australia and Italy, for 1990 -2003.The world population was used for age standardization.Age-standardized rates for ovarian cancer mortality (ICD-10: C56) in the 10 selected countries between 1990 and 2006 are shown for females (Fig. 1).Ovarian cancer mortality rates in six countries [China (Hong Kong), USA, Australia, UK, France and Germany] tend to decrease over time.The rate in Korea, however, showed a gradual increase and those in three other countries [Japan, Italy and Spain] were leveling off throughout the period.Ovarian cancer mortality rates in the UK and Germany were very high throughout the period.However, the rates in both countries decreased remarkably.The USA, Australia and France had similar mortality rates, which were lower than the UK and Germany, and showed similar time trend which was a gradual decrease.In Italy and Spain, the mortality rates were lower