Cancer risks in first-generation immigrants to Sweden
Kari Hemminki1, Xinjun Li, Kamila Czene
1Department of Biosciences at Novum, Karolinska Institute, Huddinge, Sweden. kari.hemminki@cnt.ki.se
International Journal of Cancer
|April 30, 2002
Summary
Cancer risks for immigrants in Sweden varied by cancer site and country of origin. While overall cancer incidence was lower, male immigrants showed increased lung cancer risk, and specific groups had elevated risks for stomach and thyroid cancers.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Oncology
Background:
- Immigration patterns influence population health.
- Understanding cancer risk variations in immigrant populations is crucial for targeted health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze cancer incidence risks among adult immigrants in Sweden.
- To compare cancer risks in immigrants versus native Swedes using a nationwide database.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Swedish Family-Cancer Database for 613,000 adult immigrants.
- Calculated standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for 18 cancer sites.
- Used native Swedes as the reference population.
Main Results:
- Overall cancer incidence was 5% lower in immigrant men and 8% lower in immigrant women.
- Male immigrants exhibited a 41% excess risk for lung cancer.
- Significant variations observed, with increased risks for stomach (Romanian women) and lung (Dutch men) cancers, and decreased risks for cancers like testis, prostate, and kidney in certain immigrant groups.
Conclusions:
- Cancer risk profiles in immigrants are heterogeneous and depend on cancer site and country of origin.
- Observed differences are partly attributable to variations in indigenous population cancer incidence.
- Targeted public health strategies may be needed for specific immigrant groups and cancer types.
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