Cancer deaths mapped throughout New Zealand

Press, 31 January 1983, Page 2

Cancer deaths mapped throughout New Zealand

Parliamentary reporter

Christchurch has a high mortality rate for cancers of the larynx, large bowel, large intestine, and rectum but average or less than average death rates for other cancers, according to a cancer mortality “atlas” of New Zealand.

The atlas, the first of its kind to be published in New Zealand, is intended to aid research into the causes of cancer •by presenting mortality rates geographically. The Minister of Health, Mr Malcolm, has described the 130-page atlas an an excellent example of medical geography which would contribute much to the study of environmental factors in cancer.

It records the incidence of 22 types of cancer according to area and growth in deaths per 100,000 between 1949 and 1978.

The author, Mr Barry Borman is employed by the National Health Statistics

Centre. Cancer of the large intestine, says the atlas, is highest among males in the three South Island urban centres of Christchurch, Timaru, and Dunedin. Female cancer is highest in rural areas; the Eyre County, Lake County, and an area along the boundary of Marlborough and Kaikoura Counties.

The national average male death rate increased significantly in the 30-year period, particularly in men aged less than 55, but the female death rate did not increase much.

Large-bowel cancer was highest in males in Christchurch, Dunedin, and Invercargill and “elevated” in the Grey County. It was highest in females in Timaru and Invercargill.

“Unfavourable” local areas were the Lake, Strathallan, Marlborough, and Kaikoura Counties.

Cancer of the larynx was evenly spread throughout New Zealand, except in Christchurch, Whangarei and Palmerston North, where it

was higher than the national average. Male deaths from cancer of the rectum were high in Christchurch, Timaru, Dunedin, and Invercargill, “elevated” in the Clutha County and "adverse” in the Buller and Grey Counties. In the North Island, rates were high in Hastings and Porirua.

Female rectal cancer was highest in the area along the boundary between Timaru and Strathallan Counties.

Bronchial and lung cancers were low in North Canterbury, particularly in Waipara, Malvern, and Paparua Counties, but high in Inangahua County. They were highest in the North Island, and among females, very low in the Christchurch area. Cancer of the cervix in the South Island was close to the national average, and highest in parts of the North Island. Across the country, the mortality rate has declined significantly in the 30 years to 1978, but has doubled in those aged less than 35.

Uterine cancer had increased, particularly among younger age-groups, but was highest in Clutha County and the South Otago district.

Deaths from cancer of the ovary, the fourth biggest cause of cancer in women, were high in a few centres in both the North and South Islands; in the South Island, in the Kaikoura and Marlborough Counties. Cancer of the prostate was concentrated in the North Island, and deaths from cancer of the bladder were lowest in the South Island, particularly in the Christchurch urban area and North Canterbury for females, and in the Nelson and Ashburton areas for males.

A table of mortality rates for different cancers over the 30 years to 1978, adjusted for age, shows that deaths from cancer of the large intestine, rectum, large bowel, bronchus, and lung have increased, but that cancer of the stomach, uterus, breast, and cervix is causing fewer deaths.