Updated fraction of cancer attributable to lifestyle and environmental factors in Denmark in 2018

Environmental exposures and avoidable risk factors account for a large proportion of cancer burden. Exposures and lifestyle vary over time and between populations, which calls for updated and population-specific quantification of how various avoidable risk factors influence cancer risk to plan and design rational and targeted prevention initiatives. The study considered 12 risk-factor groups categorized as class I carcinogens by IARC/WCRF. Exposure data was derived from national studies and surveys and were linked to cancer incidence in 2018 based on the nationwide Danish Cancer Registry. In 2018, 23,078 men and 21,196 women were diagnosed with cancer excluding non-melanoma skin cancer, in Denmark. Of these, 14,235 (32.2%) were estimated to be attributable to avoidable class I carcinogens. Tobacco smoking accounted for 14.6% of total cancers, followed by UV-radiation that accounted for 5.8%. Based on exposure data from 2008, one-third of the cancers in Denmark in 2018 are estimated to be caused by class I carcinogens with tobacco use being the main contributor followed by UV-radiation. Our results should be integrated with public health policies to effectively increase awareness and promote strategies to decrease risk factor exposures at population level.

Forecasting lung cancer incidence, mortality, and prevalence to year 2030

Background Lung cancer incidence and prevalence is increasing worldwide and there is a focus on prevention, early detection, and development of new treatments which will impact the epidemiological patterns of lung cancer. The clinical characteristics and the trends in incidence, mortality, and prevalence of lung cancer in Denmark from 2006 through 2015 are described and a model for predicting the future epidemiological profile of lung cancer through 2030 is introduced. Methods The study population comprised all cases of lung cancer, registered in the Danish Cancer Registry, who were alive on January 1, 2006 or had a first-time ever diagnosis of lung cancer during 2006 through 2015. Information on morphology, stage of the disease, comorbidity and survival was obtained from other Danish health registers. Based on NORDCAN data and estimated patient mortality rates as well as prevalence proportions for the period 2006 through 2015, future case numbers of annual incidence, deaths, and resulting prevalence were projected. Results A total of 44.291 patients were included in the study. A shift towards more patients diagnosed with lower stages and with adenocarcinoma was observed. The incidence increased and the patient mortality rate decreased significantly, with a doubling of the prevalence during the observation period. We project that the numbers of prevalent cases of lung cancer in Denmark most likely will increase from about 10,000 at the end of 2015 to about 23,000 at the end of 2030. Conclusions Our findings support that lung cancer is being diagnosed at an earlier stage, that incidence will stop increasing, that mortality will decrease further, and that the prevalence will continue to increase substantially. Projections of cancer incidence, mortality, and prevalence are important for planning health services and should be updated at regular intervals.

Forecasting lung cancer incidence, mortality, and prevalence to year 2030

Background Lung cancer incidence and prevalence is increasing worldwide and there is a focus on prevention, early detection, and development of new treatments which will impact the epidemiological patterns of lung cancer. The clinical characteristics and the trends in incidence, mortality, and prevalence of lung cancer in Denmark from 2006 through 2015 is described and a model for predicting the future epidemiological profile of lung cancer through 2030 is introduced.Methods The study population comprised all cases of lung cancer, registered in the Danish Cancer Registry, who were alive on January 1, 2006 or had a first-time ever diagnosis of lung cancer during 2006 through 2015. Information on morphology, stage of the disease, comorbidity and survival was obtained from other Danish health registers. Based on NORDCAN data and estimated patient mortality rates as well as prevalence proportions for the period 2006 through 2015, future case numbers of annual incidence, deaths, and resulting prevalence were projected.Results A total of 44.291 patients were included in the study. A shift towards more patients diagnosed with lower stages and with adenocarcinoma was observed. The incidence increased and the patient mortality rate decreased significantly, with a doubling of the prevalence during the observation period. We project that the numbers of prevalent cases of lung cancer in Denmark most likely will increase from about 10,000 at the end of 2015 to about 23,000 at the end of 2030.Conclusions Our findings support that lung cancer is being diagnosed at an earlier stage, that incidence will stop increasing, that mortality will decrease further, and that the prevalence will continue to increase substantially. Projections of cancer incidence, mortality, and prevalence are important for planning health services and should be updated at regular intervals.

Cancer incidence among merchant seafarers: an extended follow-up of a Danish cohort

ObjectivesWhile maritime safety generally has improved dramatically over the last century, modern seafarers are still faced with numerous occupational hazards potentially affecting their risk of chronic diseases such as cancer. The aim of this study is to offer updated information on the incidence of specific cancers among both male and female seafarers.MethodsUsing records from the Danish Seafarer Registry, all seafarers employed on Danish ships during 1986–1999 were identified, resulting in a cohort of 33 084 men and 11 209 women. Information on vital status and cancer was linked to each member of the cohort from the Danish Civil Registration System and the Danish Cancer Registry using the unique Danish personal identification number. SIRs were estimated for specific cancers using national rates.ResultsThe overall incidence of cancer was increased for both male and female seafarers (SIR 1.19, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.23, and SIR 1.14, 95% CI 1.07 to 1.22) compared with the general population. This excess was primarily driven by increases in gastrointestinal, respiratory and genitourinary cancers. In addition, male seafarers working in areas with asbestos exposure showed significantly increased risk of mesothelioma. Finally, the male seafarers had an increased risk of lip cancer.ConclusionsThe majority of cancers among seafarers continue to be lifestyle-related. However, occupational exposure to asbestos and ultraviolet radiation seems to affect the cancer pattern among the male seafarers as well.

Increased Risk of Second Hematological and Non-Hematological Malignancies in CLL Patients Treated with Chemotherapy As Compared to Untreated Patients and Matched Controls - Results from a Danish Population Based Study

Background The management of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is in rapid transition and tailored individual therapy is a likely future scenario for those needing treatment. Previous studies of CLL have revealed an increased risk of second cancers. The underlying mechanisms are unclear, but may involve shared risk factors, weakened immune surveillance, and chemotherapy exposure. However, little is known about the impact of CLL treatment on second cancer risk. We followed Danish population-based cohorts of treated and untreated CLL patients and compared their risk of second cancers with that of matched controls. Methods All patients registered with a diagnosis of CLL in the Danish Cancer Registry 2002-2013 were included in the analyses. For each CLL patient, we randomly selected 50 CLL-free control persons matched on age and gender from the general population. Patients and controls were followed for new cancers registered in the Danish Cancer Registry 2002-2013 using ICD10 codes. Information about CLL treatment was available from The Danish National Patient Registry allowing us to stratify patients accordingly. Follow up of the patients and controls were done separately for each cancer type without competing risk. Adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) for new cancers by time since CLL diagnosis /matching date for controls were calculated using Cox regression analyses. Results Overall, 4,919 CLL patients with a median person-years of follow-up (PYFU) of 3.9 and 245,877 controls with a median PYFU of 4.6 were included. During follow-up, a total of 694 new malignancies, 54 hematological (excluding CLL) and 640 non-hematological, were registered among the CLL patients (eight patients developed both hematological and non-hematological malignancies). This corresponded to increased relative risks for combined groups of hematological (HR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.0 to 1.7) and of non-hematological (HR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.3 to 1.5) cancers, respectively, compared to the controls. Chemotherapy treatment was registered for 1,664 (34%) of the CLL patients during follow-up, and this was accompanied by increased relative risks of both hematological cancers excluding CLL (HR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.9 to 4.1) and non-hematological cancers (HR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.6 to 2.1). In contrast, risks of hematological cancer were not increased (HR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.6 to 1.3) and risk of non-hematological cancers only slightly increased (HR, 1.3; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.4), among untreated CLL patients. In site-specific analyses the increased risk among treated CLL patients pertained to Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphomas, myelodysplastic syndrome, lung, skin, and thyroid cancer with HR's ranging from 1.8 to 13.3. Conclusions CLL patients treated with chemotherapy are at increased risk of other hematological and non-hematological malignancies. Increased awareness and possibly cancer screening programs are warranted for CLL patients receiving chemotherapy. Detailed analyses of the role of different types of CLL specific treatments on risk of second cancers based on the Danish Cancer Registry, the Danish National Patient Registry and the Danish National CLL Registry are ongoing. Disclosures Geisler: Roche: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy; Celgene: Consultancy; Sanofi: Consultancy. Niemann:Abbvie: Research Funding; Roche: Consultancy; Gilead: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy; Janssen: Consultancy.

Mortality Among Women With Cervical Cancer During or Shortly After a Pregnancy in Denmark 1968 to 2006

ObjectiveCervical cancer diagnosed in relation to a pregnancy is rare; however, the current trend to have children later in life increases the risk of pregnancy and cervical cancer coinciding. We investigated the mortality of women diagnosed with cervical cancer during or in relation to a pregnancy.Materials and MethodsFrom the nationwide Danish Cancer Registry, we identified women diagnosed with a primary cervical cancer at ages 15 to 44 years during 1968 to 2006 born after April 1, 1935. The women were linked to several Danish national registries to obtain information on births and abortions. In addition, linkage was made to the Cause of Death Register. Overall and cause-specific hazards ratios (HRs) were assessed by Cox proportional hazards regression with adjustment for age, calendar year, and extent of disease.ResultsA total of 6135 cervical cancers were identified. Among these, 126 women were diagnosed with cervical cancer during pregnancy, 1856 were diagnosed with cervical cancer 0 to 4 years after a pregnancy, and 4153 were diagnosed with cervical cancer more than 30 days before or 5 years or more after a pregnancy or had no known pregnancies. The latter group was used as reference. The adjusted HR for death due to cervical cancer was 1.77 (95% confidence interval, 1.21–2.60) among women diagnosed with cervical cancer during pregnancy compared with that in the reference group, while the corresponding HR among women with cervical cancer 0 to 4 years after pregnancy was 0.96 (95% confidence interval, 0.83–1.10) compared with that in the reference group.ConclusionsOur results suggest an increased mortality for women diagnosed with cervical cancer during pregnancy, but not among those diagnosed shortly after pregnancy. This finding should be explored further in larger populations.