Analysis of mortality rate from carcinoma of prostate

Age-specific mortality from carcinoma of the prostate was analyzed by drawing a line between the value at age 52 years and that at age 87. Slope of the line was relatively constant for the pooled years 1962–1966, 1967–1971 and 1972–1976 (maximum variation from the mean of 4.5%). However, the slope was 17.7% greater for the period 1977–1981 and 29.8% over the prior mean in 1987–1992. This was explored by two models. Mortality versus age was well described by a power function, with an increase in slope noted in the mid-1970s. An exponential growth model was also utilized and revealed the existence of a ‘change point’ around the year 1975. Hence, two models are available for further exploring the increase in age-specific mortality from carcinoma of the prostate which occurred in the mid-1970 period.