Comparison of Male and Female Breast Cancer Incidence and Mortality Trends in Central Serbia

Background: To compare breast cancer incidence and mortality trends in Central Serbia between males andfemales in the period 1999-2009. Materials and
Methods: In this descriptive study, mortality data were obtainedfrom the National Statistics Institute and morbidity data were derived from Institute of Public Health of Serbiafor the period of interest.
Results: Breast cancer is a leading cancer in the female population of Central Serbia,whereas in male population it is not on the list of 10 leading localizations, concerning both incidence as well asmortality. In the period 1999-2009 the average standardized incidence rates of breast cancer were 60.5/100,000in women and 1.4/100,000 in men, while average standardized mortality rates were 20.4/100,000 and 0.4/100,000.The average standardized incidence and mortality rates were about 45 times higher in females than males. Malebreast cancer comprises approximately 2.1% of all breast cancer cases. The average age-specific mortality andincidence rates increased with age in both sexes. In the observed period standardized mortality rates of breastcancer increased significantly only in men (y=0.320+0.0215, p=0.044).
Conclusions: The increase of breast cancerincidence in both sexes and mortality in men, indicate an urgent need for Serbian health professionals to applyexisting cancer control and preventive measures. Male breast cancer is more present than in other world regions,with an outstanding increase of mortality, which demands a timely identification (screening) and adequatetreatment. A national policy including mammography should be considered in the light of the newest findings.