Cancer incidence rates in Turkey and two regions in the Federal Republic of Germany: a comparison.

Cancer incidence rates in Turkey are compared to those in two regions of West Germany, namely Hamburg and Saarland. Incidence rates of laryngeal, colorectal and prostatic cancer are significantly different in males of the two countries. Additionally, incidence rates of skin and trachea, bronchus, lung cancer show statistically significant differences in males of Turkey and Saarland. Between females, only the incidence of colorectal cancer is significantly different in both countries. These variations in cancer occurrence may be due to differences in tobacco and alcohol consumption, age distribution of the two populations and exposure to sunlight.