Cancer registry of French Polynesia: results for the 1990-1995 period among native and immigrant population

We present the data of the Cancer Registry of French Polynesia (FP) for the 1990-1995 period, highlighting the difference between the incidences among inhabitants born in FP and in immigrants. A total of 1606 incident cases of cancer were registered during the 6-year period from 1990 to 1995, about 90% of which were histologically confirmed. Among these incident cases, 1361 occurred in native French Polynesians (FPs) and 245 in immigrants. Overall cancer incidence was found to be very slightly higher among women in the native population (209/10(5)) than among immigrants (191/10(5)), and lower among men in the native population (186/10(5)) than in the immigrants (241/10(5)). Cervix, corpus uteri, and thyroid cancer incidence rates were higher among women born in FP than among immigrant women. In contrast, colorectal cancer and melanoma incidences rates were lower, and colorectal cancer was similar. Laryngeal cancer incidence was higher among men born in FP than among immigrant men. In contrast, cancers of the oral cavity, colon and rectum, prostate gland, bladder and melanoma were less frequent. This first report, based on the data from the Cancer Registry of French Polynesia, shows high cancer incidence rates in females and low incidence in males born in FP, as compared to those recorded in France; and low cancer incidence rates, as compared to New Zealand Maoris and Hawaiians. For certain cancers, for example colorectal cancer, the incidence in the immigrant population seems to be between that of the native FP population and that of the population living in France, and lower than in New Zealand Maoris and Hawaiians.