[Trends in cancer incidence as observed by Lombardy cancer registry, Varese Province].

Trends in cancer risk of the Varese province Cancer Registry from 1976 to 1987 have been considered. The analysis has been carried out subdividing the 12 years of observation in three quadriennia. In younger ages (0 to 54) an increase of melanomas, of testicular cancer and, only in females, of tobacco-related cancers (oral cavity, oesophagus, pancreas, larynx, lung, bladder and kidney) has been observed. In younger males, instead, a decrease of tobacco-related cancer risk is already observable. Below age 55 there is no reduction in gastric cancer risk. The increase of breast cancer for youngest women is only observed between the first and the second quadriennium. For older ages (from 55 to 74) tobacco-related cancers continue to increase, in both sexes, but mainly among females. Also increasing, for males, are colon and liver cancer risks. Among the same ages, gastric and cervix (for screened age groups) cancer risks are decreasing. These observations, most in accordance with patterns observed in other western countries, can be used for setting intervention and research priorities.