The epidemiology of cancer of the bladder in Canada: 1931 to 1985.

Morbidity patterns during 1970 to 1982 and mortality patterns during 1941 to 1985, in Canada, for carcinoma of the bladder were examined. Morbidity rates in both males and females have risen, on average, by 0.39 and 0.14 additional new cases per 100,000 population per year, respectively (p less than or equal to 0.015). Analysis of age-specific morbidity rates over time revealed that these increases are associated with corresponding significant increases for six of the eight age groups studied in males (0.09 to 6.96 additional new cases per year, p less than or equal to 0.035) and four of the eight age groups studied in females (0.29 to 1.59 additional new cases per 100,000 population per year, p less than or equal to 0.035). Although age-standardized mortality rates for males have not changed significantly (p = 0.70), rates for the six youngest age groups studied have declined significantly whereas rates for the other two (oldest) age groups have risen significantly (p less than or equal to 0.030). In females, standardized mortality rates have declined by approximately 45% (p less than or equal to 0.0001) with significant declines noted for six of the eight age groups studied (p less than or equal to 0.025).