The graph shows the incidence and mortality rates for prostate cancer from 1983 to 1998 - HSC - SSCE Personal Development and Physical Education - Question 9 - 2004 - Paper 1

The most likely reason for the significant rise in new cases of prostate cancer between 1988 and 1994 is due to increased detection resulting from more effective screening methods. During this period, advancements in screening technologies such as PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) testing likely led to more men being diagnosed earlier and more frequently. This boost in diagnosis does not necessarily reflect a real increase in incidence, but rather improved awareness and testing capabilities.