Public health aspects of cancer deaths.

In 1976, the toll of cancer in Denmark (5 million inhabitants) was 12,481 deaths, or 23% of deaths from all causes. Seven manifestations accounted for more than half of the cancer deaths, namely lung (19%), breast (9%), stomach (7%), colon (9%), rectum (5%), pancreas (6%) and prostate (5%). The median age of the cancer patients was 70 years, ranging from 65 years for breast cancer patients to 75 years for those with prostate cancer. Cancer caused a reduction in the patients' normal life-span; it totalled 182,486 years for all the dead patients, 37% of which were in productive age. The future caseload was projected from the time trend for the years 1968-76. During the following five years an annual increase by 200 deaths is expected. The trend differs between the seven major manifestations, since some will increase and others will stabilize or decrease. When case reports are combined with mortality data, survival tables can be produced. Follow-up surveys of the patient's health, combined with modern data processing, can produce a detailed description of the impact of cancer on the patient's life. These health tables, which illustrate the natural history of the disease, can also be used to assess new therapeutic regimens.