Cancer registration literature update (2006-2008).

Using Cancer Registration and Registry as search items with PubMed, a survey of the relevant literature for the years 2006-2008 was performed. A total of 207 abstracts were scanned for core findings and classified under general incidence and mortality, methodology and specific organ headings, these accounting for 27%, 5% and 68% of papers, respectively. Further sub-division into geographical area and country showed 34% from Europe, less than 1% from Africa, 42% from Asia (almost half in the APJCP), 2% from Australasia and the remaining 21% from the Americas. Breast cancer was the most common specific cancer covered, followed by colorectal and childhood, then lung and urinary tract, but clear differences were noted in the focus of different countries, partially reflecting variation in prevalence. The distributions across and within continents point to geographical areas and countries in which assistance might allow a more comprehensive picture of cancer incidence and mortality to be generated, facilitating worldwide efforts for cancer control. Variation within countries also appears to require more emphasis in the future.