Untitled

Abstract

BackgroundAlthough South Asians (SA) form a large majority of the Asian population of U.S., very little is known about cancer in this immigrant population. SAs comprise people having origins mainly in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. We calculated age-adjusted incidence and time trends of cancer in the SA population of California (state with the largest concentration of SAs) between 1988–2000 and compared these rates to rates in native Asian Indians as well as to those experienced by the Asian/Pacific Islander (API) and White, non-Hispanic population (NHW) population of California.MethodsAge adjusted incidence rates observed among the SA population of California during the time period 1988–2000 were calculated. To correctly identify the ethnicity of cancer cases, 'Nam Pehchan' (British developed software) was used to identify numerator cases of SA origin from the population-based cancer registry in California (CCR). Denominators were obtained from the U.S. Census Bureau. Incidence rates in SAs were calculated and a time trend analysis was also performed. Comparison data on the API and the NHW population of California were also obtained from CCR and rates from Globocan 2002 were used to determine rates in India.ResultsBetween 1988–2000, 5192 cancers were diagnosed in SAs of California.Compared to rates in native Asian Indians, rates of cancer in SAs in California were higher for all sites except oropharyngeal, oesophageal and cervical cancers. Compared to APIs of California, SA population experienced more cancers of oesophagus, gall bladder, prostate, breast, ovary and uterus, as well as lymphomas, leukemias and multiple myelomas. Compared to NHW population of California, SAs experienced more cancers of the stomach, liver and bile duct, gall bladder, cervix and multiple myelomas. Significantly increasing time trends were observed in colon and breast cancer incidence.ConclusionSA population of California experiences unique patterns of cancer incidence most likely associated with acculturation, screening and tobacco habits. There is need for early diagnosis of leading cancers in SA. If necessary steps are not taken to curb the growth of breast, colon and lung cancer, rates in SA will soon approximate those of the NHW population of California.

Cancer among Asian Indians/Pakistanis living in the United States: low incidence and generally above average survival

“…Surveys from the United States have also reported Asian Indian women were less likely to have had a mammogram within the preceding two years [15] and more likely to report never having had another mammogram than Whites or other Asian-American groups [16]. Our incidence results are generally consistent with a study using data from the California cancer registry [1], and indeed there is overlap between the studies because both would have included cases during San Francisco during 1988 to 2000, and San Jose and Los Angeles during 1991 to 2000. Our incidence rates are generally lower than theirs, particularly for women, but our male oral cavity and lung cancer rates were higher than theirs.…”

“…A study using data from the California cancer registry found that South Asians, of whom about 90% were Asian Indians, had lower cancer incidence than nonHispanic whites for most sites, but higher incidence than Whites for liver cancer for both genders, and stomach, esophageal, and cervical cancer for females [1]. A registrybased study from the United Kingdom [2] found that South Asians had substantially lower incidence rates for most major cancers than non-South Asians.…”

Epidemiology of Non-small Cell Lung Cancer in Asian Americans: Incidence Patterns Among Six Subgroups by Nativity

“…These products may not increase the risk of lung cancer to the same degree as cigarettes do, and their use may also lead to the consumption of fewer Western cigarettes daily. [15, 20] Additionally, other environmental exposures such as dietary habits that are specific to South Asian cultures may be protective for lung cancer and warrant further study. Genetic factors that are protective against NSCLC are also possible, but seem less likely to play a protective role in this population given the much higher rate of NSCLC with acculturation.…”

Chemoprevention of Prostate Cancer by Natural Agents: Evidence from Molecular and Epidemiological Studies

“…Studies from populations of similar genetics but with different dietary and lifestyle-related factors have determined that immigrants from Asian countries to the USA who adopted a "Western-style" diet rich in meat and processed foods and lacking certain micronutrients of their native Asian diet had dramatically higher incidence and mortality rates of prostate cancer compared to their countries of origin. Although the rates of prostate cancer incidence in Asian countries has been increasing in recent years partly due to life-style changes particularly adopting "Westernstyle" diet, it is still comparatively lower than Western countries (27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33). Asian populations with high consumption of specific micronutrients have lower prostate cancer incidences versus countries consuming a Westernised diet (34).…”