Applications of the Cumulative Rate to Kidney Cancer Statistics in Australia

Abstract

Cancer incidence and mortality statistics in two populations are usually compared by using either the age-standardised rate or the cumulative risk by a certain age. We argue that the cumulative rate is a superior measure because it obviates the need for a standard population, and is not open to misinterpretation as is the case for cumulative risk. Then we illustrate the application of the cumulative rate by analysing incidence and mortality data for kidney cancer in Australia using the cumulative rate. Kidney cancer, which is also known as malignant neoplasm of kidney, is one of the less common cancers in Australia. In 2012, approximately 2.5% of all new cases of cancer were kidney cancer, and approximately 2.1% of all cancer related deaths in Australia were due to kidney cancer. There is variation in incidence and mortality by sex, age, and geographical location in Australia. We examine how the cumulative rate performs in measuring the variation of this disease across such sub-populations. This is part of our e ort to promote the use of the cumulative rate as an alternative to the age-standardised rates or cumulative risk. In addition we hope that this statistical investigation will contribute to the aetiology of the disease from an Australian perspective.