The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #74641

Charles Key, MD, PhD¹, Anne Lanier, MD MPH², Janet J. Kelly, MPH², Barry Miller, DrPH³, Robin Taylor Wilson, MA, PhD⁴, and Brenda K. Edwards, PhD⁵. (1) New Mexico Tumor Registry, University of New Mexico, 2325 Camino de Salud, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87131, (505) 272-5541, ckey@nmtr.unm.edu, (2) Alaska Native Tumor Registry, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, 4201 Tudor Centre, Suite 105, Anchorage, AK 99508, (3) Cancer Statistics Branch, National Cancer Institute, 6116 Executive Blvd, Bethesda, MD 28092, (4) Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Occupational and Environmental Epidemiology Branch, National Cancer Institute, 6120 Executive Blvd., Bethesda, MD 20892, (5) Surveillance Research Program, National Cancer Institute, 6116 Executive Blvd, Suite 504, Bethesda, MD 28092

Total cancer incidence rates for American Indians/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) living in Alaska (AK) are double those in 2 southwestern (SW) states, Arizona (AZ) and New Mexico (NM). Striking contrasts exist between high rates in AK and low rates in SW for cancers of Breast, Colon and Rectum, Esophagus, Lung and Nasopharynx.

Methods: As members of the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program, the Alaska Native Tumor Registry and New Mexico Tumor Registry operate population-based cancer registries encompassing AI/AN populations of AK, AZ and NM. Incidence rates for AK and SW (AZ+NM) during 1984-99 (age-adjusted using the 2000 U.S. population standard) were compared to US (SEER White) rates by calculating standard errors (SE) and standardized incidence ratios (SIR).

Results: Compared to US, significantly low rates include: All Sites (SW), Brain (AK & SW), Breast (SW), Colon and Rectum (SW), Esophagus (SW), Larynx (AK & SW), Leukemia and Lymphoma (AK & SW), Lung (SW), Melanoma (AK & SW), Prostate (AK & SW), Urinary Bladder (AK & SW). Significantly high rates include: Cervix uteri (AK & SW), Colon and Rectum (AK), Esophagus (AK), Gallbladder (AK & SW), Kidney (AK & SW), Liver (AK & SW), Lung (AK), Nasopharynx (AK), Stomach (AK & SW). Most common cancers for men are AK: Lung, Colon, Prostate, Stomach; SW: Prostate, Colon, Stomach, Lung. Most common cancers for women are: AK: Breast, Colon, Lung, Cervix, Ovary; SW: Breast, Colon, Cervix, Ovary, Stomach. Primary or secondary prevention measures exist for several of these cancers.

Learning Objectives:

After this session, participants will be able to:
• describe sources of AI/AN cancer statistics;
• identify major cancers for which AI/AN are at greater or lesser risk than the majority (“SEER White”) population;
• list major cancers for which rates are higher or lower for AI/AN living in AK than those living in AZ and NM.

Keywords: Cancer, American Indians

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.