Cancer mortality risk among Japanese in the United States

Earlier findings on cancer mortality experiences of Nisei and Issei were updated to around 1970. Compared with U.S. whites, Japanese in Japan had a high standardized mortality ratio (SMR) for cancers of the esophagus, stomach, biliary passages, and cervix, whereas they had low ratios for cancers of most other sites. Among U.S. Japanese, the direction and magnitude of the SMR transition varied by site, but generally the SMR moderated toward that of U.S. whites. Specifically, mortality from stomach cancer was elevated through the ratio has been reduced. In addition, mortality from cancers of the liver and biliary passages remained high. In contrast to a sharp decline in the SMR for esophageal cancer, the SMR for cancer of the colon and lymphomas rose closer to the levels for whites. The SMR for cancers of the ovary and prostate gland represented a rise above that of Japan. A higher Issei than Nisei SMR was observed for most cancer sites, regardless of the risk level in Japan. The reverse was true for cancers of the liver and nasopharynx among males, cancers of the breast and ovary among females, and lymphosarcoma and leukemia among both sexes.     

Cancer incidence and mortality among firefighters

Firefighters are exposed to both known and suspected carcinogens. This study aims to systematically review the literature on the association of firefighting occupation and cancer incidence and mortality, overall and for specific cancer sites. A systematic review using PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science was performed up to January 1, 2018. We extracted risk estimates of cancers and calculated summary incidence risk estimates (SIRE), summary mortality risk estimates (SMRE), and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). Publication bias and risk of bias in individual studies were assessed using Begg's and Egger's tests and the Newcastle-Ottawa scale (NOS), respectively. We included 50 papers in the review and 48 in the meta-analysis. We found significantly elevated SIREs for cancer of the colon (1.14; CI 1.06 to 1.21), rectum (1.09; CI 1.00 to 1.20), prostate (1.15; CI 1.05 to 1.27), testis (1.34; CI 1.08 to 1.68), bladder (1.12; CI 1.04 to 1.21), thyroid (1.22; CI 1.01 to 1.48), pleura (1.60; CI 1.09 to 2.34), and for malignant melanoma (1.21; CI 1.02 to 1.45). We found significant SMREs of 1.36 (1.18 to 1.57) and 1.42 (1.05 to 1.90) for rectal cancer and Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, respectively. Considering the significantly elevated risk of some cancers in this occupational group, we suggest improving preventive measures and securing adequate and relevant medical attention for this group. Further studies with more accurate and in-depth exposure assessments are indicated.     

Cancer Information Seeking and Awareness of Cancer Information Sources among Korean Americans

Many Korean Americans (KAs) suffer high cancer incidence levels and have low cancer screening rates. A significant number of KAs lack adequate information about cancer screening tests. However, little is known about the health information seeking behaviors of KAs. This study examines the types of cancer information searched for, the cancer information seeking experiences, and the awareness of major cancer information sources, such as the National Cancer Institutes (NCI) and the NCI’s Cancer Information Service, among KAs. It also examines associations with demographic characteristics and media use influencing variations in the awareness of cancer information sources. Data for this study were gathered with a cross-sectional, community-based survey (254 KAs). The survey results indicated that KA’s involvement in cancer information seeking is relatively low, and they have somewhat negative experiences in seeking cancer information. In addition, their awareness of cancer information sources was limited. Despite of the heavy use of Korean ethnic media, it did not connect to cancer information source awareness. Rather, use of US mainstream media was significantly related with awareness. Campaigns using the Korean language through partnerships with Korean ethnic media to inform KAs about credible sources of health information appear to be warranted by our findings.     

Cancer mortality among Chinese, Japanese, and Indians in British Columbia, 1964-73

We compared age-adjusted mortality rates for cancer of selected sites for Chinese, Japanese, and native Indian residents of British Columbia during the years 1964-73 to the corresponding rates for the white population. Mortality from all cancers of the Chinese did not differ significantly from that of whites. Elevated rates are seen for cancer of the nasopharynx in both sexes, of the liver and esophagus in males, and of the lung in females. Chinese males had a lower mortality than whites from stomach, prostate, and bladder cancer and brain tumors, whereas females had a lower mortality from tumors of the colon, breast, and ovary; both sexes had a lower mortality from leukemia. For Japanese males and females, the mortality rates for all cancers combined were similar to those of the white population. The rates for cancer of the stomach and gallbladder were higher in both sexes; males also showed a higher rate of liver cancer. Prostate and breast cancer mortality rates were lower. Native Indian males had a lower mortality rate from all cancers combined; the difference was significant for stomach, colon, lung, and prostate cancers, and for leukemia. Native Indian females showed a lower rate for ovarian cancer and a higher rate of tumors of the gallbladder and uterine cervix, but their overall cancer mortality was similar to that of whites.     

Metabolic conditions and breast cancer risk among Los Angeles County Filipina Americans compared with Chinese and Japanese Americans

Accumulating evidence suggests that the aggregation of common metabolic conditions (high blood pressure, diabetes and dyslipidemia) is a risk factor for breast cancer. Breast cancer incidence has risen steadily in Asian American women, and whether these metabolic conditions contribute to breast cancer risk in certain Asian American subgroups is unknown. We investigated the role of physician‐diagnosed hypertension, high cholesterol and diabetes separately, and in combination, in relation to the risk of breast cancer in a population‐based case–control study of 2,167 Asian Americans diagnosed with breast cancer and 2,035 age and ethnicity matched control women in Los Angeles County. Compared to Asian American women who did not have any of the metabolic conditions, those with 1, 2 or 3 conditions showed a steady increase in risk (respective odds ratios were 1.12, 1.42 and 1.62; P trend = 0.001) with adjustment for covariates including body mass index. Similar significant trends were observed in Filipina Americans (P trend = 0.021), postmenopausal women (P trend =0.001), Asian women who were born in the United States (US) (P trend = 0.052) and migrants who have lived in the US for at least 20 years (P trend = 0.004), but not migrants who lived in the US for <20 years (P trend = 0.64). These results suggest that westernization in lifestyle (diet and physical inactivity) and corresponding increase in adiposity have contributed to the rising prevalence of these metabolic conditions, which in turn, are associated with an increase in breast cancer.     

Cancer incidence patterns among Vietnamese in the United States and Ha Noi,Vietnam

Nearly 600,000 persons have immigrated to the United States from Vietnam since the end of the Vietnam War. Despite the rapid growth of the U.S. Vietnamese population, little is known about cancer incidence in this migrant group. Using population-based data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results program, California Cancer Registry and International Agency for Research on Cancer, we compared cancer incidence rates for Vietnamese in the United States (1988-1992) to rates for residents of Ha Noi, Vietnam (1991-1993); non-Hispanic whites were included to serve as the U.S. reference rates. Lung and breast cancers were the most common among Vietnamese males and females, respectively, regardless of geographic region. Rates of cancers more common to U.S. whites, such as breast, prostate and colon cancers, were elevated for U.S. Vietnamese compared to residents in Ha Noi but still lower than rates for U.S. whites. Rates of cancers more common to Asian countries, such as stomach, liver, lung and cervical cancers, were likewise elevated for U.S. Vietnamese compared to residents of Ha Noi and exceeded corresponding rates for whites. Incidence patterns for stomach, liver, lung and cervical cancers may reflect increased risk of exposures in this migrant population and should be further explored to uncover the relative contributions of environmental and genetic factors to cancer etiology.     

Cancer incidence and mortality patterns among specific Asian and Pacific Islander populations in the U.S.

Objectives We report cancer incidence, mortality, and stage distributions among Asians and Pacific Islanders (API) residing in the U.S. and note health disparities, using the cancer experience of the non-Hispanic white population as the referent group. New databases added to publicly available SEER*Stat software will enable public health researchers to further investigate cancer patterns among API groups. Methods Cancer diagnoses among API groups occurring from 1 January 1998 to 31 December 2002 were included from 14 Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program state and regional population-based cancer registries covering 54% of the U.S. API population. Cancer deaths were included from the seven states that report death information for detailed API groups and which cover over 68% of the total U.S. API population. Using detailed racial/ethnic population data from the 2000 decennial census, we produced incidence rates centered on the census year for Asian Indians/Pakistanis, Chinese, Filipinos, Guamanians, Native Hawaiians, Japanese, Kampucheans, Koreans, Laotians, Samoans, Tongans, and Vietnamese. State vital records offices do not report API deaths separately for Kampucheans, Laotians, Pakistanis, and Tongans, so mortality rates were analyzed only for the remaining API groups. Results Overall cancer incidence rates for the API groups tended be lower than overall rates for non-Hispanic whites, with the exception of Native Hawaiian women (All cancers rate = 488.5 per 100,000 vs. 448.5 for non-Hispanic white women). Among the API groups, overall cancer incidence and death rates were highest for Native Hawaiian and Samoan men and women due to high rates for cancers of the prostate, lung, and colorectum among Native Hawaiian men; cancers of the prostate, lung, liver, and stomach among Samoan men; and cancers of the breast and lung among Native Hawaiian and Samoan women. Incidence and death rates for cancers of the liver, stomach, and nasopharynx were notably high in several of the API groups and exceeded rates generally seen for non-Hispanic white men and women. Incidence rates were lowest among Asian Indian/Pakistani and Guamanian men and women and Kampuchean women. Asian Indian and Guamanian men and women also had the lowest cancer death rates. Selected API groups had less favorable distributions of stage at diagnosis for certain cancers than non-Hispanic whites. Conclusions Possible disparities in cancer incidence or mortality between specific API groups in our study and non-Hispanic whites (referent group) were identified for several cancers. Unfavorable patterns of stage at diagnosis for cancers of the colon and rectum, breast, cervix uteri, and prostate suggest a need for cancer control interventions in selected groups. The observed variation in cancer patterns among API groups indicates the importance of monitoring these groups separately, as these patterns may provide etiologic clues that could be investigated by analytic epidemiological studies. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Combined influence of genetic and dietary factors on colorectal cancer incidence in Japanese Americans

Colorectal cancer (CRC) rates for Japanese migrants to the United States increased rapidly to surpass the level of the host population. CRC rates for the Japanese in Hawaii and California are now the highest in the world. Rates for this disease have also increased in Japan, presumably as the result of the westernization of the diet. A series of population-based studies in Hawaii was undertaken to determine which dietary factors are responsible for this remarkable susceptibility of the Japanese to CRC and whether genetic factors are also involved. A first case-control study suggested that a high intake of red meat is a major risk factor for the disease in Hawaii Japanese men and that family history of CRC among first-degree relatives may strongly modify this association. A case-control family study is currently being completed to explore further the interaction between family history and the intake of red meat after adjustment for environmental covariates among family members. Also, a segregation analysis will guide gene discovery studies among high-risk Japanese families being recruited in the Cooperative Family Registry for Colorectal Cancer Studies. Retrospective and prospective studies are also ongoing to test associations of CRC with specific polymorphisms in genes controlling the metabolic activation or detoxification of the carcinogens associated with a diet high in red meat. Preliminary results suggest an association of the combined rapid NAT2 genotype and rapid CYP1A2 phenotype with CRC in individuals consuming well-done red meat. Populations in which dramatic changes in cancer incidence have occurred may offer opportunities to identify gene-environment interactions.     

Changes in lung cancer incidence and mortality rates among Americans: 1969--78

Cancer incidence data from two large cancer surveys and cancer mortality data for the entire United States were used to estimate trends in lung cancer incidence and mortality rates among whites for specific age groups during the 10 years 1969--78. Data for the Third National Cancer Survey were from 1969 to 1971; data for the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program were from 1973 to 1978. For both incidence and mortality, the rates for women increased much more rapidly than the rates for men, except in the oldest age group (greater than or equal to 85). For both men and women, there was a striking similarity between the average annual percent changes for age-specific incidence rates and those for age-specific mortality rates. For the first time women and men had a similar incidence rate for the youngest (35--44) age group in 1978. If these trends continue, the data suggest that the total incidence rates for men and women will be equal by the year 2000.     

Cancer incidence and risk factors after solid organ transplantation

Iatrogenic immunosuppression is a unique setting for investigating immune‐related mechanisms of carcinogenesis. Solid organ transplant recipients have a 3‐fold excess risk of cancer relative to the age‐ and sex‐matched general population. Population‐based studies utilizing cancer registry records indicate that a wide range of cancers, mostly those with a viral etiology, occur at excess rates. To date, cancer risk has predominantly been examined in adult kidney transplant recipients in Western countries. It is yet to be established whether a similar incidence profile exists in the long‐term for other solid organ, pediatric and non‐Western transplant recipients. The cancer incidence profile before and after kidney transplantation strongly suggests a relatively minor contribution by both preexisting cancer risk factors and the conditions underlying end‐stage kidney disease, and points to a causal role for immunosuppression. Within‐cohort risk factor analyses have largely been performed on cohorts with voluntary cancer notification, and very few have incorporated biomarkers of the level of immunosuppression, the current receipt of immunosuppressive agents, or genetic risk factors. Because of their markedly high risk of certain cancers, findings from comprehensive studies in transplant recipients have the potential to raise new avenues for investigation into causal mechanisms and preventive measures against immune‐related and infectious causes of cancer. © 2009 UICC     

Cancer statistics for Asian Americans,Native Hawaiians,and Pacific Islanders, 2016: Converging incidence in males and females

Cancer is the leading cause of death among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs). In this report, the American Cancer Society presents AANHPI cancer incidence data from the National Cancer Institute, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries and mortality data from the National Center for Health Statistics. Among AANHPIs in 2016, there will be an estimated 57,740 new cancer cases and 16,910 cancer deaths. While AANHPIs have 30% to 40% lower incidence and mortality rates than non‐Hispanic whites for all cancers combined, risk of stomach and liver cancers is double. The male‐to‐female incidence rate ratio among AANHPIs declined from 1.43 (95% confidence interval, 1.36‐1.49) in 1992 to 1.04 (95% confidence interval, 1.01‐1.07) in 2012 because of declining prostate and lung cancer rates in males and increasing breast cancer rates in females. The diversity within the AANHPI population is reflected in the disparate cancer risk by subgroup. For example, the overall incidence rate in Samoan men (526.5 per 100,000) is more than twice that in Asian Indian/Pakistani men (216.8). Variations in cancer rates in AANHPIs are related to differences in behavioral risk factors, use of screening and preventive services, and exposure to cancer‐causing infections. Cancer‐control strategies include improved use of vaccination and screening; interventions to increase physical activity and reduce excess body weight, tobacco use, and alcohol consumption; and subgroup‐level research on burden and risk factors. CA Cancer J Clin 2016;66:182‐202. © 2016 American Cancer Society .     

Hepatitis B awareness,knowledge, and screening among Asian Americans

BACKGROUND: Due to the high prevalence of hepatitis B, Asian Americans have high rates of liver cancer. Screening for hepatitis B leads to monitoring and treatment and prevent further infection through vaccination of contacts. METHODS: We reviewed the published literature up to 2006 on hepatitis B awareness, knowledge, and screening among Asian Americans. RESULTS: Many Asian Americans lack knowledge about hepatitis B and have not been screened. Sociodemographics, knowledge, beliefs, and health care variables are associated with screening. CONCLUSIONS: Further research and health policy changes are needed to address the problem of hepatitis B and liver cancer among Asian Americans.     

Differences in breast cancer risk factors by tumor marker subtypes among premenopausal Vietnamese and Chinese women.

We evaluated associations between reproductive and lifestyle risk factors with breast cancer tumor marker status in a case-control study. Cases were premenopausal women living in Vietnam and China who were eligible for a clinical trial of oophorectomy and tamoxifen as treatment for breast cancer (n = 682). Controls were nonrelative hospital visitors, matched on age to the cases (n = 649). Immunohistochemical analysis was used to identify the presence of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor and the overexpression of HER-2/neu oncogene. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were estimated using unconditional logistic regression, adjusted for known confounders. Overall, 280 (61%) tumor samples were ER positive and 176 (38%) were ER negative. HER-2/neu overexpression was detected in 161 (35%) samples, whereas 286 (26%) samples were HER-2/neu negative. We observed an inverse trend between increasing parity and decreasing breast cancer risk (P = 0.002). Women ages > or =25 years at first birth had increased breast cancer risk compared with women ages <25 years at first birth (OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.20-1.95). Women who consumed alcohol had increased risk of breast cancer compared with women who did not (OR,1.85; 95% CI, 1.32-2.61). Compared with controls, OR estimates for breast cancer by parity and age at first birth were significantly associated with ER and/or HER-2/neu tumor status by Wald test (P < 0.05). Family history, age at menarche, cumulative lactation, body mass index, and education were not significantly related to breast cancer risk. Our findings support the hypothesis that some breast cancer risk factors differ by ER and HER-2/neu tumor marker subtypes.     

Cancer incidence among the south Asian and non-south Asian population under 30 years of age in Yorkshire, UK

Background:

Few studies have examined epidemiological differences between ethnic groups for children and young adults with cancer.

Methods:

Subjects aged 0–29 years, diagnosed between 1990 and 2005 in the former Yorkshire Regional Health Authority, were included in the analysis. Ethnicity (south Asian or not) was assigned using name analysis program and Hospital Episode Statistics data. Differences in incidence (per 1 000 000 person-years) rates and trends were analysed using joinpoint and Poisson regression analysis.

Results:

Overall cancer incidence was similar for south Asians (12.1, 95% CI: 10.7–13.5; n=275) and non-south Asians (12.6, 95% CI: 12.2–13.1; n=3259). Annual incidence rates increased significantly by 1.9% per year on average (95% CI: 1.2–2.6%), especially for south Asians (7.0% 95% CI: 4.2–9.9%).

Conclusion:

If present trends continue, the higher rate of increase seen among south Asians aged 0–29 years in Yorkshire will result in three times higher cancer incidence than non-south Asians by 2020.     

Comparison of Bladder Cancer Survival Among Japanese,Chinese, Filipino,Hawaiian and Caucasian Populations in the United States

Background: Racial differences for bladder cancer survival have been reported for Caucasians and African- ‍Americans. However, the survival experience of bladder cancer patients in Asian and Pacific Islander ethnic groups ‍in the United States have not been fully explored. The purpose of this study was to compare the bladder cancer ‍survival rates of Japanese, Chinese, Filipinos, Hawaiians and Caucasians in the U.S. population. ‍Materials and Methods: The data was from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program of ‍the National Cancer Institute between 1973 and 1998. Cox proportional hazard models and Kaplan-Meier’s estimates ‍were used to study differences in survival between the ethnic groups, adjusting for factors including age at diagnosis, ‍gender, year of diagnosis, histological grade, stage, surgery type, and radiation therapy. ‍Results: The overall bladder cancer survival was 66% for Japanese patients, 64% for Chinese patients, 61% for ‍Caucasians, 59% for Filipino patients and 52% for Hawaiian patients. Differences in bladder cancer survival rates ‍between Japanese and Chinese populations in the United States were not observed. In the Asian population, higher ‍relative risks and lower 5-year survival were observed with increasing age at diagnosis (p for trend<0.0001), grade ‍(p for trend<0.0001), and stage (p for trend<0.0001). Asian women had lower survival and a higher risk of death due ‍to bladder cancer than Asian men. ‍Conclusions: Japanese and Chinese bladder cancer patients had higher overall survival rates than Caucasians, ‍while Filipino and Hawaiian patients had lower survival than Caucasians.     

Cancer incidence among the south Asian and non-south Asian population under 30 years of age in Yorkshire,UK

Background:

Pt-(GpG) intrastrand crosslinks are the major DNA adducts induced by platinum-based anticancer drugs. In the cell lines and mouse models, the persistence of these lesions correlates significantly with cell damage. Here we studied Pt-(GpG) DNA adducts in circulating tumour cells (CTC) treated with cisplatin in medium upfront to systemic therapy from patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Methods:

Blood was drawn before systemic treatment and the CD45/CD15-depleted fraction of mononuclear cells was exposed to cisplatin, verified for the presence of CTC by pan-cytokeratin (pCK) staining and immunoanalysed for the level of Pt-(GpG) in DNA.

Results:

Immunostaining for pCK, CD45 and subsequently for Pt-(GpG) adducts in the cisplatin-exposed cells (ex vivo) at different time points depicted distinct differences for adduct persistence in CTC between responders vs non-responders.

Conclusion:

Pt-(GpG) adducts can be detected in CTC from NSCLC patients and assessing their kinetics may constitute a clinically feasible biomarker for response prediction and dose individualisation of platinum-based chemotherapy. This functional pre-therapeutic test might represent a more biological approach than measuring protein factors or other molecular markers.     

Cancer incidence and mortality in China, 2006

Objective:To describe the cancer incidence and mortality rates in 2006 and evaluate the cancer burden in China.Methods:Cancer registration data in 2006 from 34 cancer registries were collected,evaluated and pooled to calculate cancer incidence and mortality rates.The data analyses included mortality to incidence ratio(MI),morphological verification percentage(MV%) and proportion of death certification only(DCO%).Cumulative incidence and mortality rates were calculated using crude data,age-standardized data,and specific data for cancer site,age,sex and area(urban or rural).Results:In 2006,34 registries with qualified registration data covered a total population of 59,567,322(46,558,108 in urban areas and 13,009,214 in rural areas).The crude and age-standardized cancer incidence rates were 273.66 per 100,000 and 190.54 per 100,000,respectively.The crude and age-standardized cancer mortality rates were 175.70 per 100,000 and 117.67 per 100,000,respectively.Cancers of lung,stomach,colon and rectum,liver,and breast in female were the five most common forms of cancer in China,which accounted for 58.99% of all new cancer cases.Lung cancer was the leading cause of cancer death,followed by stomach cancer,liver cancer,esophageal cancer and colorectal cancer.Conclusion:Cancer is still an important public health issue in China with an increasing disease burden.Specifically,the incidence rates for lung cancer,colorectal cancer and breast cancer were increasing,but those for stomach cancer and esophageal cancer were decreasing.However,age-specific incidence rate remained stable,indicating that the aging population was the major source of the increasing cancer burden.