Trends in Respiratory Cancer Mortality

Abstract

Trends in respiratory cancer mortality from 1940 to 1969 in the United States and in England and Wales are compared. In the United States, male age-specific death rates have increased at a declining rate; female rates have increased dramatically since about 1955. In England and Wales, male rates have declined under 55, have flattened at ages 55 to 64, and have risen only in those aged 65 and over; female rates have increased markedly since about 1957. After allowing for cigarette smoking, an effect of air pollution was sought. There was a slightly greater decline in the lung cancer death rates among men aged 25 to 64 and women aged 45 to 54 in Greater London than in the rest of the country. This is in line with the greater decline in smoke pollution in London than elsewhere.