Annual cancer report 1995

Abstract

This Cancer report for 1995 represents the fourth annual publication by the National Cancer Registry. This report presents the incidence of and mortality from cancer in the Maltese Islands during 1995. It also presents information on the local cancer incidence using accumulated data from 1992 to 1995. The rates calculated on this greater number of cases collected over four years have a greater statistical relevance than rates calculated on the basis of one year's data. During 1997 the first volume of the 1995 Census report was published. This presented the population of each local council by gender and age on the census day. These population data were used in the calculation of standardised incidence ratios using 1992-1995 incidence data for the different regions of the Maltese Islands, allowing statistical comparisons of cancer incidence between these regions. Information on the treatment of cancer patients is also being included in this report for the first time. This was made possible through the monthly report submitted by the oncologists that listed the new cases referred to their firms and the objectives and nature of the initial treatment given for their conditions. These reports were started at the beginning of 1995. At the same time the Cancer Registry took on the role of maintaining the database of the patients attending the Oncology Department at Sir Paul Boffa Hospital. In 1995 the National Cancer Registry was awarded full voting membership within the International Association of Cancer Registries which is affiliated with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). To date, data from the registry have been included in a number of international publications. These include Volume VII of the Cancer Incidence in Five Continents, published in 1997 by the IARC. [Preface by Dr H. Agius Muscat]