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Alaska Native cancer update: incidence rates 1989-1993
A P Lanier1, J J Kelly, B Smith
1Alaska Native Medical Center, United States Public Health Service, United States Department of Health and Human Services, Anchorage 99501, USA.
Summary
Cancer incidence rates have significantly increased among Alaska Natives over 25 years. While rates in Alaska Native women now mirror US white women, disparities persist for specific cancer sites in men.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
- Oncology
Background:
- Cancer incidence rates among Alaska Natives (Eskimos, Indians, Aleuts) have been tracked over time.
- Previous studies identified specific cancer site differences between Alaska Natives and US whites.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare recent cancer incidence rates (1989-1993) in Alaska Natives to rates from 20 years prior.
- To compare cancer incidence rates in Alaska Natives to those of US whites using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program data.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of five-year average annual age-adjusted cancer incidence rates.
- Comparison of rates between two time periods (approx. 1969-1973 vs. 1989-1993).
- Comparison of Alaska Native rates with US white rates from the SEER program.
Main Results:
- Overall cancer incidence increased by 28% in men and 25% in women over 25 years.
- Specific cancer increases observed: lung, prostate, colon in men; lung, breast, corpus uteri in women.
- Alaska Native women's overall cancer rates now resemble US white women; men's rates are 10% lower, but significant site-specific differences remain.
Conclusions:
- Cancer incidence has risen substantially in the Alaska Native population over two decades.
- Convergence in overall cancer rates between Alaska Native women and US white women.
- Persistent, significant site-specific cancer disparities exist between Alaska Natives and US whites.