The Rising Incidence and Mortality of Prostate Cancer in Belgrade Population

The purpose of this study was to analyze the epidemiological situation of prostate cancer in Belgrade population. Morbidity data were obtained from the Institute of Public Health of Serbia for the period 1999-2005. Mortality data for the period 1990-2006, were derived from the Statistical Office of Republic of Serbia. Average standardized incidence and mortality rates for the prostate cancer were 33.57 and 11.86 respectively. Standardized incidence rates of prostate cancer steadily increased from 29.34 per 100,000 in 1999 to 36.86 per 100,000 in 2005. In the observed period, the mortality rates significantly increased in the age groups 50-59 (y=2.77+0.42x, p=0.015), 70-79 (y=61.92+10.70x, p=0.000) and 80+ (y=183.08+19.99x, p=0.000). The average annual percentage of changes (AAPC) was the highest (7.2%) for the 70-79 age group, the lowest (0.1%) for the youngest group (<= 50), and 5% for the total. The increase of prostate cancer incidence and mortality during the observed period in Belgrade population indicate urgent need for Serbian health professionals to adopt existing evidence-based cancer control and preventive measures. A national policy including prostate specific antigen (PSA) screening should be considered.