A progressive rise in stomach cancer-related mortality rate during 1970-1995 in Japanese individuals over 85 years of age

A large number of studies have shown a gradual fall in stomach cancer-related mortality rate during the last decade. Here we analyzed the pattern of stomach cancer-related mortality rates in Japanese aged85 years from 1970 to 1995. We used data for the entire population of Japan. The magnitude of change was measured by relative risk and cause-elimination life tables to distinguish time trends in mortality rates of stomach cancer for individuals over 85 years of age compared with other age groups (55-84 years). In the over-85 age group, stomach cancer mortality increased from 374 in 1970 to 662 in 1995 per 100,000 (77%) for males and from 232 to 296 per 100,000 (27%) for females. Using the 55-59 years group as the reference category, the relative risk increased from 2.3 to 9.9 and from 2.8 to 11.1 in men and women, respectively. The effects of mortality on life expectancy also increased 1.5 times and 1.1 times, respectively. Our results showed a rise of stomach cancer mortality in Japanese aged over 85 years, which paralleled the increase in relative risk and negative contribution to life expectancy. While the mortality of younger age groups is decreasing, the change over from increase to decrease in the over-85 age group is only just beginning.