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Introduction
A graphical presentation of cancer trends in South Australia and comparison countries
Cancer is a leading public health problem. In South Australia during 1991 to 2001, cancer accounted for 26% of all deaths (28% in males and 24% in females). This is a statistical module developed as a collaborative venture of the Epidemiology Branch of the Department of Human Services and The Cancer Council South Australia. The module comprises a summary set of graphs showing international differences in cancer rates and trends by country of birth and socio-economic status of residential postcodes of South Australian residents. In addition, trends are presented by region of residence and diagnostic period. Data sources were Cancer Incidence in Five Continents, Volume VIII, edited by Parkin DM, Whelan SL, Ferlay J, Teppo L, and Thomas DB (IARC Scientific Publications No. 155), and the South Australian Cancer Registry. International comparisons should be interpreted broadly due to the potential for methodological differences between registries.
The module is directed primarily at secondary and tertiary students, teachers, health-service providers, and interested members of the public. The aim is to show in a straightforward manner how cancer affects the population. Readers are invited to download segments for use in school projects and for other purposes.
A future release will include outcomes of cancer care in South Australia, compared with outcomes in other countries.
Methods The statistical information for South Australia in this module was collected by the Department of Health through the South Australian Cancer Registry. Registry staff members are acknowledged for their professionalism and careful attention to detail in the collection of the data over the last 25 years.
Graphs show the mean (i.e., average) annual cancer incidence per 100,000 residents.
Incidence rates are provided for males and females collectively, and where applicable, for each sex separately. Socio-economic status of postcode has been assessed using the SEIFA index, developed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS Information Paper 2039.0, 1998).
Rates are standardized by age to the World Population, as has been conventional in international cancer publications since the 1960s. The rates are estimates of those that would have applied, had the age structures of comparison populations been the same as for the World Population. Readers familiar with standardization methods are informed that the indirect method of standardization was employed for comparisons within South Australia and the direct method for overall time trends and international comparisons.
In all instances, 95% confidence limits of rates are provided. They represent the upper and lower limits of the range through which rates would be expected to vary by chance alone 95% of the time. When ranges for different rates do not overlap, the reader can conclude that differences between these rates are unlikely to have occurred by chance.
Readers requiring further clarification, either in relation to methodology or information content, are advised to contact the Epidemiology Branch (telephone: (08) 8226 6000) or The Cancer Council South Australia (telephone: (08) 8291 4111).
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Research 
