Time trends in the incidence of squamous‐cell carcinomas of the cervix during the period 1973–1991 were examined using data provided by 60 population‐based cancer registries from 32 defined populations in 25 countries. Three components of the incidence trend were studied: age, calendar period of diagnosis and birth cohort. Cumulative incidence rates per 1,000 person‐years for 2 groups, age ranges 25–49 and 50–74 years, were calculated from the model that best described the incidence data. A significant decline in incidence was noted in the American populations (except for US Hispanic), Australia, the non‐Maori women of New Zealand, northern and western Europe (except Italy and Spain, where the rates remain stable) and Asian populations (except Malay women of Singapore, who have stable rates). These trends were of similar magnitude for the whole age range studied (25–74 years). An increasing trend, mainly restricted to younger women, was found for Slovakia, Jewish women born in Israel and the United Kingdom. In Slovenia, the increasing trend was observed for all age groups. The predominant pattern shown by cancer registries in developed countries is of a reduction in the incidence of squamous cervical cancer. This could be, at least partially, attributed to the widespread practice of screening for cervical lesions. The major exception to the pattern is observed in the United Kingdom, though the increasing incidence in young women has changed to a decrease in recent years. There are only a few series covering a long period of time in developing countries, but there is little evidence for a major impact of screening. Int. J. Cancer 86:429–435, 2000. © 2000 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

We analysed the prevalence of cigarette smoking among subsequent birth cohorts of Spanish males and females. Data were drawn from the Spanish NHIS conducted in 1993 ( = 26 400), 1995 ( = 8300) and 1997 ( = 8300). From the original computer files, the three surveys were pooled to obtain a single sample. A total of 33 223 subjects (16 036 men and 17 187 women) born between 1900 and 1979, >/= 16 years old, were directly interviewed and with complete information on the history of smoking included for analysis. Based on each respondent's sex and calendar year of birth, the person was classified into a particular sex-birth cohort in the decades from 1900-09 to 1970-79. For each year from date of birth to date of survey, respondents were further classified as either cigarette smoker or nonsmoker. The prevalence of cigarette smoking among successive cohorts of Spanish men and women was estimated, with correction for excess mortality of smokers. In men, the peak in smoking was reached in the 1950-59 birth cohort (prevalence rate of 68% at ages 20-29), after increases during the previous calendar years. Smoking among women was rare until 1960. Female smoking prevalence rates increased progressively among subsequent cohorts until 1980. The age distribution of smoking prevalence in women in 1990 mimics that observed in men 40 years earlier. A substantial delay in the spread of the tobacco epidemic among men is apparent. In women, the delay in the initiation of the smoking epidemic ended with a quick diffusion of the habit.

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Childhood cancer mortality has sharply declined in most economically developed countries over the last years, whereas no substantial changes in the incidence have been observed. In Catalonia (Spain), childhood cancer mortality showed a considerable decline until 1992, but incidence trends have not been analysed in this population. To assess both recent incidence and mortality trends in this population, we analysed childhood (0-14 years) cancer data from the population-based Tarragona Cancer Registry and from the Mortality Registry of Catalonia (Spain) from 1980 to 1998. All cancer mortality decreased by -2.6% annually in boys (95% confidence interval, 95% CI -3.7, -1.6) and -3.7% in girls (95% CI -4.9, -2.5). Mortality due to leukaemia decreased annually -3.0% in boys (95% CI -4.7, -1.4) and -4.4% in girls (95% CI -6.3, -2.4). Mortality for brain tumours showed a reduction of -3.2% in boys (95% CI -5.5, -0.9) and of -4.4% in girls (95% CI -6.3, -2.4). No significant trend in incidence rates, either in boys or in girls, was observed (annual per cent of change for all cancers -0.5%, 95% CI -3.5, 2.7, in boys and 1.7%, 95% CI -1.9, 5.5, in girls). These results suggest an improvement in both childhood cancer diagnosis and treatment, which may explain current higher childhood cancer survival rates.

The incidence of contralateral GCTT in our series was lower than expected compared with other published series. This finding mirrors the lower incidence of GCTT in the general population in our country than in other areas with a higher incidence of contralateral GCTT. Therefore, contralateral testicular biopsy at initial diagnosis is not mandatory in our experience.