Ovarian and endometrial cancers.

Trends in the incidence and mortality of endometrial and ovarian cancer are described for England and Wales from 1950 to 1991 and for other selected countries from 1955 to 1985. The mortality from endometrial cancer has been falling in England and Wales since 1950 in all age groups. This has not been reflected by a decline in incidence. Most of the other countries show a similar decline in mortality in all ages but stable incidence rates. Mortality from ovarian cancer has been declining in women aged under 55 in England and Wales since the early 1970s but has been rising in women over 55. The international pattern is varied, but several countries show a decline in mortality in younger women that began in the early 1970s. The incidence in younger women has not fallen to the same degree. It is difficult to explain the trends in endometrial cancer mortality in terms of the known risk factors for the disease. The trends in ovarian cancer mortality are consistent with an effect of the combined oral contraceptive pill.