It is important that population-based cancer registries provide accurate and reliable
data for public health purposes. These data are essential data for planning of cancer
control and prevention. In this study, we examined cancer incidence rates (year 2005–2010)
in four MECC registries (Cyprus, Jordan, Israel, Izmir (Turkey)) and compared with
the rates in the US. The overall age-standardized incidence rates for males were highest
in the US followed by Israeli Jews, Izmir (Turkey), Cyprus, Israeli Arabs, and lowest
in Jordan. In women the rates of cancer of all sites were also highest in US women
followed by Israeli Jews, Cyprus, Israeli Arabs, Izmir (Turkey), and lowest in Jordan.
It is of interest that although site-specific cancer rates differ between the countries
studied, prostate, lung and colorectal cancers are within the five most common cancers
males in all countries studied. In females, breast colorectal and endometrium cancers
are three of the five most common cancers in females in all countries studied. The
results presented in this paper can have implications for opportunities in cancer
control and prevention in these countries. Future studies on individual cancer sites
with highest rates in these Countries are currently underway.