Lung cancer mortality trends in Canada, 1931-1960.

Trends in mortality due to lung cancer in Canada since 1931 were reviewed and data for 1960 presented. In 1960, 2223 male deaths were due to lung cancer. In each five-year age group over 45, there has been a distinct increase in male lung cancer death rates since 1931. The greatest increase occurred between the ages of 65 and 79. The age group 70-74, where the lung cancer mortality rates increased from 10.7 in the period 1931-33 to 173.5 in 1958-60, indicates the trend. Between 1931 and 1960, the proportion of male lung cancer deaths to all male cancer deaths increased from 3% to 18.8%. Female deaths due to lung cancer numbered 321 in 1960. Between 1931 and 1960 the proportion of female lung cancer deaths to all female cancer deaths increased only from 1.4% to 3.2%.