Online Program

333654
Gender differences in cancer incidence rates among children and adolescents in Michigan


Monday, November 2, 2015

Gergana Kodjebacheva, Ph.D., University of Michigan - Flint, Flint, MI
Jeremy Blankenship, MPA, Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Michigan - Flint, Flint, MI
Shandowyn L. Parker, PhD, MPH, Department of Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Michigan-Flint, Flint, MI
Lenwood Hayman Jr., Ph.D., Public Health and Health Sciences, University of Michigan - Flint, Flint, MI
Michigan has experienced high poverty rates and has areas with factories that release pollutants. Such conditions may increase the risk of cancer. Limited epidemiological research on childhood and adolescent cancer is available in Michigan. This study investigated gender differences and yearly changes in the incidence of cancer among youth in Michigan. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention WONDER database was used to obtain data on cancer incidence rates among youth aged 0 to 19 years between 1999 and 2011 in Michigan. Michigan males had a higher cancer incidence rate (20.7 per 100,000) than U.S. males (18.4 per 100,000) in 2011. In the same year, Michigan females also had a higher rate (18.9 per 100,000) than U.S. females (17.3 per 100,000). The male cancer incidence rate increased from 16.7 per 100,000 in 1999 to 20.7 per 100,000 in 2011 in Michigan. The female cancer incidence rate increased from 15.0 per 100,000 in 1999 to 18.9 per 100,000 in 2011 in Michigan. In conclusion, gender differences exist in the incidence of childhood cancers in Michigan. Over the years, the rates of childhood and adolescent cancer increased for both males and females in Michigan. Differences in physiology, gender norms, and behaviors are potential contributors to gender inequalities. More awareness on childhood cancer is needed in Michigan. Additional research on the reasons for and the interventions to decrease gender differences in Michigan is proposed.

Learning Areas:

Epidemiology
Public health or related public policy
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Discuss economic and environmental conditions in Michigan that may make the area more susceptible to the development of cancer among residents Compare cancer incidence rates between male and female youth overall in Michigan Compare cancer incidence rates between male and female youth between 1999 and 2011 in Michigan Formulate future research study to decrease gender differences in cancer incidence rates

Keyword(s): Cancer, Children and Adolescents

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have conducted child health research for over 10 years. I received my PhD in public health. I have published in peer-reviewed journals.
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.