Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The incidence of and mortality from rectal cancer (RC) in Russia is higher than in most countries in Europe and North America. Moreover, most cases are diagnosed at late stages. The National project ‘Health' was initiated in 2007 to improve primary health care and could therefore increase the rate of early detection of RC in Russia. The aim of the study is to assess whether of RC patients increased in Russia after initiation of this project. METHODS: Data on all cases of rectal cancer (ICD codes: C20–C21) were obtained from the Arkhangelsk Regional Cancer Registry for the period 2000–11. One- and five-year survival was calculated using life-tables. The effect of the implementation of the National project ‘Health' on survival was assessed by comparing survival in time-periods before and after the initiation of the project adjusted for the stage at diagnosis, age, gender and place of residence using multivariable Cox proportional hazard analysis.