Exploring age-standardized cancer incidence rates and regional disparities: A retrospective cohort study of 8 major cancers in South Korea

We analyzed trends in cancer incidence and regional disparities of eight major types of cancer in Korea. This retrospective cohort study used the data of 17 cities/provinces from the Korea Central Cancer Registry (1999–2020) in South Korea. Age-standardized incidence rates (per 100,000 person-years), between-group variance (per 100,000 person-years)2, and annual percentage changes ( %) were calculated for the eight most common malignancies. Joinpoint regression was utilized to identify the points at which significant changes occur in cancer incidence or regional disparity trends over time to characterize these trends. The incidence of stomach cancer decreased as regional disparity decreased and that of colorectal cancer initially increased but recently declined, showing fluctuations in regional disparity. The incidence and regional disparity in liver cancer decreased. The incidence of lung cancer remained stable, with reduced regional disparities. The incidence of breast cancer rose with increasing regional disparity, whereas the incidence of cervical cancer decreased, accompanied by decreased regional disparity. A significant increase in prostate cancer was found, with initially reduced regional disparities but later showed a resurgence. The incidence of thyroid cancer fluctuated alongside variations in regional disparities. This study revealed cancer incidence and regional variations in each cancer type in Korea. More studies are needed to understand the underlying factors and potential interventions for reducing cancer incidence and addressing regional disparity. •Regional variations in cancer incidence identified for various types.•Gastric, liver, lung, cervical cancer display reduced disparities.•Breast cancer consistently shows elevated regional variations.•Colorectal, thyroid cancer: initial rise, recent decline in disparities.•Prostate cancer: initial increase, decrease, recent upswing in disparities.