Comparison of mortality rates for cancer in black adults--1970 v. 1980.

Mortality rates (MRs) for cancer in black men and women, aged 25-74 years, in the 34 'selected' (urban) magisterial districts were calculated for 1980 and compared with the MRs for cancer in 1970. All MRs were age-adjusted to the age distribution of the white population in 1970 to enable valid comparisons to be made. A notable feature was the increase in MRs for cancer of the oesophagus and cancer of the lungs over the period. Cancer of the liver was among the three leading causes of deaths from cancer in both black men and women, which contrasted markedly with the situation in the other populations of the RSA. Examination of MRs for all causes of death and of deaths from cancer in the 16.9 million black population in 1980 suggests that there was a very substantial under-reporting of deaths, particularly in the rural areas of RSA. It is estimated that around 60,000 deaths were not reported. The implications of this finding are discussed and an interim solution proposed.