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Leukaemia (ICD-9 204-208) There were almost no differences in incidence or mortality rates within Northern Europe. Mortality/incidence ratios were lowest in Iceland and Sweden, and highest in Poland and Russia. The age-curves for incidence were similar in every country; a peak in childhood and a new increase after the age of 30 in all areas up to the age of about 75. After that age the rates decreased in the post-socialistic countries but continued to increase in the others. The mortality curves were similar; however the young-age peak was missing in the west. Comment Ionizing radiation increases the risk of leukaemia but not to an extent that would have a major population attributable effect. Also other suggested risk factors are so rare or weak that the observed maps without spatial variation were as expected.
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