Changing Trends In Lung Cancer And Its Association With Risk Factors Among Male Population In Hong Kong

Abstract

The study analyzed the changing trends in lung cancer with time in Hong Kong from the period 1991 to 2005. The factors were examined included how the development with time affects the period of diagnosis and birth cohort. The prevalence of cancer reported cases were gathered from Hong Kong Cancer registry, and the populace data was collected from Census and Statistics department. The period 1991 to 2005 the incident rate in Hong Kong Chinese males showed a declining trend. The decline was observed in allover incidence rates of lung cancer particularly a decrease was observed in Squamous cell carcinoma which had a direct link with reduction in the rate of smoking. Adenocarcinoma was the most prevalent subtypes of cancer diagnosed all over. An important relationship was also studied between the genetic and environmental factors and regular consumption of low-tar filter tip cigarettes. The study observed the link between different subtypes and their association of different risk factors. The hypotheses engendered from this ecological research need further affirmation followed by the analytical type of studies.

Introduction4

Methodology5

Incidence Rate and Population Data5

Prevalence Rate and Smoking6

Statistical Analysis6

Data collection and Sampling7

Discussion7

Conclusion12

References15

Changing Trends In Lung Cancer And Its Association With Risk Factors Among Male Population In Hong Kong

Introduction

At the beginning of 20th century lung cancer was considered to be a rare malignancy which become the leading cause of deaths throughout the world (Jemal et.al, 2008). In Hong Kong since 1993, the reported cases of lung cancer among males showed a decrease, but it was diagnosed to be the most prevalent type of cancer. Over the last decade, the similar trends had been observed in many western countries also (Youlden, 2008). A number of epidemiologic studies had been conducted to cover the international issue of lung cancer and analyze the side effects of cigarette smoking as the main trigger for inducing the disease (Lin et. al, 2008). The etiology of lung cancer varies among different ethnic groups. In West Cigarette smoking is the considered being the main contributing factor of lung cancer in more than 80% of the males, where as in Chinese males the figures were dropped to 58% (Youlden, 2008).

Other contributing factors possessing a greater risk include exposure to occupational carcinogens like, asbestos and crystalline silica dust particles, air pollutants, exposure to residential radon and passive smoking. Together all the factors accounts for 42% of the lung cancer cases in the males living in Hong Kong. Noticeable changes have also been observed in the histological subtypes of the lung cancer which have been diagnosed over a period of time. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common types which were induced in the initial period of smoking, and gradually with the triggers still present it was replaced by Adenocarcinoma. Changes in the histological subtypes have somewhat been linked to changes in the etiology also. The purpose of this study was to examine the changing trends in lung cancer among the male population in ...