Relation between smoking and bladder cancer mortality in males of China

OBJECTIVE: To examine the association between smoking and bladder cancer mortality in males of China.METHODS: Using the national census data on causes of death and smoking between 1 January 1986 and 31 December 1988,and the data of 35 to 69 year-old men were selected,who died of bladder cancer,in 22 cities with adequate dead of bladder cancer to analyze the correlation coefficient between mortality rates of bladder cancer and the smoking proportion of dead.RESULTS: From 1986 to 1988,mortality rates of bladder cancer were from 1.85/100 000 to 8.89/100 000 in 35 to 69 year-old men in 22 cities of China.The proportions of smokers who started smoking in ages less than 20 years,the cumulated years of smoking for 40 years or over were found significantly positive correlated with the mortality rates of bladder cancer,with correlation coefficients were at 0.55(P=0.008) and 0.59(P=0.004),respectively.Mortality rates of bladder cancer in ages of 60 to 69 years in men were significantly positive correlated with the proportion of male smokers dead from bladder cancer,are r=0.46,P=0.03.CONCLUSION: The age to start smoking,the cumulative years of smoking as well as smoking are important risk factors to develop bladder cancer in male population in urban China.