J Prev Med Public Health.  2008 Jan;41(1):17-22. 10.3961/jpmph.2008.41.1.17.

Comparison of Cancer Survival by Age Group for 1997 and for 2002: Application of Period Analysis using the National Cancer Incidence Database

• Yim SH
• Jung KW
• Won YJ
• Kong HJ
• Shin HR

• KMID: 1045720
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3961/jpmph.2008.41.1.17

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Period analysis estimates up-to-date survival rates of cancer patients. In this approach, analysis is restricted to recent time period by left-truncating all observations at the beginning of the period and rightcensoring at its end. Here, we applied period analysis to examine changes in 5-year relative survival (RS) by age group for 1997 and for 2002. METHODS: Using the National Cancer Incidence Database, 5-year RS was estimated for 1997 and 2002 in four age groups (15-54, 55-64, 65-74, and 75 years old and over) using period analysis. After excluding death certificate-only cases, patients with an unknown date of diagnosis or follow-up length, a total of 813,889 patients diagnosed with a first primary invasive cancer during 1992-2002 were included for analysis. Followup for vital status was included until 31 December 2002. RESULTS: Five-year RS increased from 41.7% for 1997 to 46.7% for 2002. Increases in survival occurred in all age groups except in the 75 and over group. CONCLSIONS: The age gradient in cancer prognosis seems to have widened between 1997 and 2002, a finding that requires further study of prognostic factors, including stage at diagnosis. Period analysis accurately estimates survival rates, especially for cancers with better prognosis.

Keyword

Survival analysis; Neoplasms; Korea

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Age Distribution
Aged
Female
Health Surveys
Humans
Korea/epidemiology
Male
Middle Aged
Neoplasms/*epidemiology
Survivors/*statistics & numerical data
Time Factors