Use of Mortality Data in Prefectural Cancer Control Plans: Is Community Health Diagnosis Performed Appropriately by Using Age-adjusted Mortality?

Cancer control plans were developed in prefectural governments in 2007. This study attempted to elucidate the status of the use of mortality data in comparison with national data and the time trend in cancer control plans. We reviewed 43 plans and examined the presentation and interpretation of crude mortality and age-adjusted mortality of all-site and site-specific cancer. Most of the plans presented age-adjusted mortality in comparison with national mortality and the time trend for all-site cancer. In contrast, only half of the plans presented age-adjusted mortality for site-specific cancer. Appropriate interpretation of the mortality comparison and time trends was performed in less than half of the plans. Capacity building and systematic training