317693
A Descriptive Analysis of Gastric Cancer in Alaska
David O'Brien, PhD, GISP,
Alaska Cancer Registry, Alaska Department of Health and Social Services-Division of Public Health-Section of Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Anchorage, AK
Gastric cancer or stomach cancer represents a major public health problem in the contiguous United States and in Alaska. Stomach cancer is the fourth most common malignancy and the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths throughout the world. A retrospective study of gastric cancer cases from 1996 to 2011 was undertaken and data were extracted from the Alaska Cancer Registry where cases are consistently recorded and centralized. Data were analyzed using the National Cancer Institute’s SEER* stat statistical software (version 8.1.5). The goal of the project was to provide a detailed epidemiologic descriptive analysis of gastric cancer to better inform health professionals, the public and to provide additional resources for future research. Results showed that gastric cancer incidence rates in Alaska are significantly higher than the rest of the nation. Alaska Natives and American Indians in Alaska have the highest rate of gastric cancer than all races combined. Males have a risk prevalence of gastric cancer that is twice than females. The Alaska Native male and Asian/Pacific Islander male gastric incidence rates are much higher than males from other races. In addition, Southeast Alaska Natives’ incidence rates are lower than rates for non-Southeast Alaska Natives. Based on findings, study recommendations include the following: promoting primary prevention strategies by an amelioration and improvement of lifestyle through exclusion of causal factors; promoting secondary prevention measures through early screening, detection and treatment of premalignant lesions of high risk-groups; knowing your family history and discussing it with your healthcare provider can help determine if you are at risk for inherited cancer syndromes and improving treatment by well-designed clinical trials, coupled with molecular characterization of tumors.
Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Epidemiology
Learning Objectives:
Identify and analyze disease case report demographics (race/ethnicity, age, sex)
Compare the Alaska statistics to the national (U.S.) statistics
Keyword(s): Health Promotion and Education, Cancer Prevention and Screening
Presenting author's disclosure statement:Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a second year master of public health and currently writing my final project.I have been conducting research less than a year and primarily through the MPH program at the University of Alaska Anchorage. I also have received a 4 months NIH Fellowship through Oregon Health and Science University to work at the State of Alaska Department of Health and Social Services-Section of Epidemiology.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines,
and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed
in my presentation.
