Cancer incidence in Turin: the effect of migration

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Environmental Health
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Internal migration in Italy, particularly to Turin, involves populations from Southern Italy and the North-East.
• Previous studies focused on international migration; this study examines internal migration's impact on cancer incidence.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of internal migration and environmental factors in cancer occurrence within Italy.
• To compare cancer incidence rates among native populations, internal migrants, and populations in their regions of origin.

Main Methods:

• Age-standardized cancer incidence rates were compared between native populations and migrants.
• Incidence rates of migrants were also compared with Cancer Registries in their four main areas of origin.

Main Results:

• Southern Italian migrants showed intermediate cancer incidence rates compared to Northern and Southern stable populations.
• Migrants from the South had significantly increased rates of intestinal, breast, and tobacco-related tumors.
• Liver cancer incidence differed significantly in Southern male migrants compared to native Northwestern populations.

Conclusions:

• Internal migration in Italy alters environmental exposures, influencing cancer occurrence.
• Migrants from Southern Italy to the North encountered new risk factors, leading to increased cancer incidence.
• Findings validate previous mortality data, highlighting migration's role in cancer epidemiology.