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Changes in Cancer Incidence Patterns Among a Northeastern American Indian Population: 1955‐1969 Versus 1990‐2004
Author(s) -
Mahoney Martin C.,
Va Puthiery,
Stevens Adrian,
Kahn Amy R.,
Michalek Arthur M.
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
the journal of rural health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.439
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1748-0361
pISSN - 0890-765X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1748-0361.2009.00247.x
Subject(s) - incidence (geometry) , medicine , demography , confidence interval , cancer registry , cancer , breast cancer , population , lung cancer , gynecology , physics , environmental health , sociology , optics
Purpose:This manuscript examines shifts in patterns of cancer incidence among the Seneca Nation of Indians (SNI) for the interval 1955‐1969 compared to 1990‐2004. Methods: A retrospective cohort design was used to examine cancer incidence among the SNI during 2 time intervals: 1955‐1969 and 1990‐2004. Person‐years at risk were multiplied by cancer incidence rates for New York State, exclusive of New York City, over 5‐year intervals. A computer‐aided match with the New York State Cancer Registry was used to identify incident cancers. Overall and site‐specific standardized incidence ratios (SIRs = observed/expected × 100), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs), were calculated for both time periods. Results: During the earlier interval, deficits in overall cancer incidence were noted among males (SIR = 56, CI 36‐82) and females (SIR = 71, CI 50‐98), and for female breast cancers (SIR = 21, CI 4‐62). During the more recent intervals, deficits in overall cancer incidence persisted among both genders (males SIR = 63, CI 52‐77; females SIR = 67, CI 55‐80). Deficits were also noted among males for cancers of the lung (SIR = 60, CI 33‐98), prostate (SIR = 51, CI = 33‐76) and bladder (SIR = 17, CI = 2–61) and among females for breast (SIR = 33, CI = 20‐53) and uterus (SIR = 36, CI = 10‐92). No cancer sites demonstrated increased incidence. Persons ages 60‐69 years, 70‐79 years, and ages 80+ years tended to exhibit deficits in overall incidence. Conclusions: Despite marked changes over time, deficits in overall cancer incidence have persisted between the time intervals studied. Tribal‐specific cancer data are important for the development and implementation of comprehensive cancer control plans which align with local needs.