Australian Adolescents and Young Adults-Trends in Cancer Incidence, Mortality, and Survival Over Three Decades.
PURPOSE
Cancer is a significant health concern for adolescents and young adults (AYAs; aged 15-24 years). Monitoring population-level changes in incidence, mortality, and survival is complicated by the lack of published data presenting statistics separately for AYAs. This study synthesizes and reviews data on AYA cancers in Australia, including trends in incidence and mortality.


METHODS
National data were extracted for 1980-2012, primarily from the Australian Cancer Database and Australian National Mortality Database. Incidence, mortality, and survival trends are described, and incidence and mortality projections are reported.


RESULTS
In 2000-2009, the annual all-cancer incidence was 31.7 cases per 100,000 population, and the mortality rate was 4.1 per 100,000. Incidence, mortality, and survival varied widely, indicating areas of concern. Melanoma was the most common cancer, and bone cancer had the highest mortality and poorest survival rates. All-cancer incidence rates peaked in the late 1990s, but then declined, largely due to melanoma. All-cancer mortality decreased throughout the study period, but showed no improvements for some common sites (i.e., brain, bone, soft tissue). Further reductions in all-cancer incidence and mortality are projected for the next decade, although specific cancers (colorectal cancers and lymphomas) were projected to increase in incidence.


CONCLUSIONS
Observed Australian cancer trends are largely consistent with trends for other high-income populations. While overall decreases in incidence and mortality are encouraging, consistently high mortality and poor survival for some cancers remain concerning. Planned data initiatives for AYAs with cancer will aid in resolving whether trends continue and projections are realized in the future.
['Roder|David M|DM|', 'Warr|Allison|A|', 'Patterson|Pandora|P|', 'Allison|Kimberley R|KR|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D001315:Australia D016208:Databases, Factual D005260:Female D005500:Follow-Up Studies D006801:Humans D015994:Incidence D008297:Male D009026:Mortality D009369:Neoplasms D011379:Prognosis D012042:Registries D015996:Survival Rate D013997:Time Factors D055815:Young Adult
incidence mortality trends epidemiology population-based young people