Cancer mortality among japanese residents of the city of säo paulo,Brazil

Death certificates of Japanese residents of the city of S?o Paulo, Brazil from 1979 to 1981 were analyzed for cancer deaths by means of the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and the standardized proportional mortality ratio (SPMR). Compared with residents of Japan, a significantly higher SMR value was obtained from Japan-born residents of S?o Paulo for prostate cancer, whereas lower values were obtained for cancer of the liver and gall-bladder in both sexes, of the esophagus and rectum in males, and of the lung in females. SMR values were higher for cancer of the stomach in both sexes but lower for those of the esophagus and prostate in males and of the gall-bladder and breast in females, when compared with the general population of S?o Paulo. Among Japan- and Brazil-born residents, stomach cancer in women revealed a significant stepwise decrease by generation when SPMR was used as an indicator. The high proportion of stomach cancer in males, however, was as high among the Brazil-born generation as in Japan. The SPMR of liver cancer decreased to the low level of the general population of S?o Paulo, even among the first generation. These changes in cancer patterns are discussed in relation to those among Japanese residents in the United States.     

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.     

Cancer mortality among Japanese immigrants and their descendants in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, 1999-2001

BACKGROUND: Only a few studies on the mortality of Japanese immigrants have been conducted in Brazil despite a large population of Japanese immigrants and their different environment and lifestyle from Japanese living in Japan. METHODS: To compare cancer mortality between Japanese in Japan and Japanese immigrants or Brazilians in the state of S?o Paulo, Brazil, we obtained official death certificates registered during 1999-2001. The standardized mortality ratio (SMR) or the standardized proportional mortality ratio (SPMR) of major cancer sites was calculated for the first generation of Japanese immigrants to Brazil (Japan-born), their Brazil-born Japanese descendants, and native Brazilians using mortality data of Japanese in Japan as a standard. RESULTS: The SMRs of stomach and colorectal cancer did not differ between the Japan-born residents of Brazil and the native Japanese, but significantly low SMRs were found among the native Brazilians. Compared with the native Japanese, we observed significantly lower SMRs for liver, gallbladder and lung cancer and significantly higher SMRs for prostate, cervical, and brain and nervous system cancer among both the Japan-born residents of Brazil and the Brazilians. Generally, the SPMR results were similar to those of the SMRs. Significantly high SPMRs for breast and uterine cancer were found for both the Japan- and Brazil-born residents of Brazil, although the Japan-born residents had increased SMRs, but not significantly so. CONCLUSIONS: We confirmed the different cancer mortality pattern in the Japanese immigrants from that in Japanese in Japan, thus demonstrating the relative importance of the environment in the development of cancer.     

Cancer mortality among Chinese in the United States

A total of 1,824 cancer deaths among the Chinese in California, Hawaii, and New York City, 1968--72, was examined against 96,635 Taiwanese dying from cancer for the corresponding years. Emphasis was placed on patterns of displacement by nativity between 1960 and 1970. Much of the transitional experiences were similar to those reported for Japanese and European migrants to the United States, such as the rise of cancers of the lung and colon in males. However, the upward displacement of cancers of the female breast and corpus uteri failed to occur among the Chinese. In general, the pattern of transition for Idai and Erdai was less apparent, compared with the mortality experiences of Issei and Nisei. Perhaps longer periods are needed to achieve full displacement of cancer risks in the advanced ages.     

A cohort study on mortality from cancer and other causes among workers at a metal refinery.

A non-concurrent prospective study was made on deaths from cancer and other causes occurring among 2,675 male workers at a metal refinery from 1949 to 1971. The expected number of deaths computed by applying age- and cause-specific death rates of Japanese males to these workers was compared with the observed number of deaths. Among 839 copper smelters, significantly increased mortalities were noted for lung cancer (SMR = 1,189) and colon cancer, but nor for cancer of the stomach, liver (primary) and biliary passages, pancreas and skin or for leukemia, tuberculosis, cerebrovascular diseases, heart diseases and liver cirrhosis. A dose-response relationship was demonstrated between the mortality from lung cancer and the degree of exposure. A very high excess mortality from lung cancer (SMR = 2,500) was seen among copper smelters who were considered to have been most heavily exposed to arsenic or workers who had engaged in sintering and blast furnace operations for 15 years of more before 1949. The latent period of lung cancer was 37.6 years on average, and not related to level of exposure. Twenty-six of 29 deaths from lung cancer among copper smelters occurred after they had left the refinery. Other production workers and clerical workers showed no significant excess mortality from any kind of cancer.     

Cancer patterns among Koreans in Japan, Koreans in Korea and Japanese in Japan in relation to life style factors

Cancer incidences for major sites were compared among Koreans in Osaka, Japan, Koreans in Korea and Japanese in Osaka by calculating standardized proportional incidence ratios (SPIR's), in addition to updating the findings on cancer mortality experiences of Koreans and Japanese in Osaka reported before. Compared with Japanese, Koreans in Osaka had significantly higher mortality rates from cancers of the esophagus, liver and lung in males, and liver in females. Mortality rates among Koreans in Osaka were significantly lower for stomach cancer in both sexes and for breast cancer in females. Compared with Korean counterparts in the homeland, Koreans in Osaka had a reduced risk for cancers of the stomach in males and the uterus in females. On the other hand, an elevated risk was observed for cancers of the esophagus, colon, liver and lung among Korean males in Osaka and for cancers of the colon and liver among Korean females in Osaka. The risk for cancer of the breast in females was similar among Koreans in the host and home countries. These different cancer patterns among Koreans in the host and home countries and Japanese are discussed in relation to their life styles, such as smoking, drinking and dietary habits, which have been investigated by means of questionnaire surveys.     

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     

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 mortality among nuns: role of marital status in etiology of neoplastic disease in women

To clarify the role of marital status in human carcinogenesis, a 1968 Cancer Institute study analyzed the cancer mortality experience of 31,658 white Catholic nuns from 41 religious orders in the U.S. from 1900-1954. The national white female population was used for cause-specific comparison and both groups were assigned cohorts depending upon the year of birth. When examined by 10-year age groups, rates for cancer at all sites was generally lower for nuns than for controls aged 59 or 69 but were substantially higher at older ages. Postmenopausal nuns (aged 69 and over) displayed a higher rate (38.6%) of cancer of the large intestine than did controls (22.6%) but had a lower proportion of deaths from cancer of the biliary passages and liver (13.0% vs. 22.6%). Nuns displayed a striking excess in breast cancer mortality over the age span of 40-74 years and had consistently higher rates than controls for each age group above 39 years. Lower cervical cancer rates for nuns (10.8%) than for controls (56.6%) seemed related to coital factors. Cancer of the uterus accounted for 63% of the genital cancer deaths among sisters. Overall, the genital cancer mortality rates for nuns were consistent with high mortality rates for the single, white female population of the U.S. The increased risk of breast cancer and cancers of the corpus uteri and ovary would seem to reflect an established link with infertility. Combination of these factors with the excess incidence of cancer of the large intestine among postmenopausal nuns suggests a common pathogenic mechanism of a hormonal nature operating in some women.     

Time-trends in cancer incidence and mortality in Japan

The cancer incidence and mortality in Japan are described herein. The total number of deaths from all malignant neoplasms in 1998 was 284,000, corresponding to 30.3% of the total number of deaths among Japanese. Lung was the leading site of cancer deaths (17.9%), followed by the stomach (17.9%), large bowel (12.1%), liver (11.8%), pancreas (6.2%), gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract (5.2%), lymphatic tissue (3.7%), esophagus (3.4%), breast (3.1%), prostate (2.4%), leukemia (2.3%) and uterus (1.8%). The stomach was the leading site of cancer deaths until 1997, but was replaced by the lungs in 1998. The age-standardized mortality rates (1975-1998) have increased gradually for males, but decreased slightly for females. The rates have decreased remarkably for the stomach and uterus, while increasing for the lungs, large bowel, female breast, gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract, pancreas, and others. The total incidence for all cancers in Japan was estimated to be 454,000 in 1995. The stomach was the leading cancer site (22.2%), followed by the large bowel (17.7%), lung (11.6%), liver (7.8%), breast (6.6%), pancreas (3.7%), gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract (3.4%), lymphatic tissue (3.1%) and uterus (2.9%). The age-standardized incidence rates for all sites (1975-1995) have increased gradually for males, while remaining constant for females after a slight increase in the late 1970s. The incidence rates have decreased for the stomach and uterus, but increased for the large bowel, female breast, lung, liver, gallbladder and extrahepatic biliary tract, pancreas, prostate and others. The increase in the incidence rate was prominent for the large bowel, female breast and prostate.     

Seroprevalences of hepatitis B and C viruses and Helicobacter pylori infection in a small,isolated population at high risk of gastric and liver cancer

The objective of this study was to examine the seroprevalences of chronic infection with hepatitis B and C viruses and Helicobacter pylori in Matzu, a group of small islets with 5,566 civilian residents who have extremely high mortality from cancers of the stomach and liver. The standardized mortality ratios (SMR) of all cancer sites combined, liver cancer and stomach cancer in 1984-1993 were calculated using the general population in Taiwan as the referent (SMR=100). The SMRs (95% confidence interval) for all cancer sites combined, liver cancer and stomach cancer were 160 (131-195), 252 (170-360) and 351 (229-516), respectively, in Matzu. A health survey was carried out with 1,485 civilian residents aged 30 years or more, giving a reponse rate of 69% among those who were eligible. Serum samples were tested for antibodies against Helicobacter pylori (anti-HP) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) and antibodies against hepatitis C virus (anti-HCV) by enzyme immunoassay. The seroprevalence was 61% for anti-HP, 24.7% for HBsAg and 1.8% for anti-HCV in Matzu. While mortality rates of liver and stomach cancers were significantly higher in Matzu than in Taiwan, the seroprevalences of anti-HP, HBsAg and anti-HCV in Matzu were similar to or even lower than those in Taiwan. These findings suggest the existence of risk factors other than microbial agents involved in the development of stomach and liver cancers. Int. J. Cancer 71: 776-779, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss Inc.     

Cancer incidence in Hawaiian Japanese: migrants from Okinawa compared with those from other prefectures.

Japanese men in Hawaii whose ancestral roots were in Okinawa were compared to Japanese migrants from all other prefectures. The Okinawan migrants have acquired fewer cancers than men from other prefectures (P = 0.12). No one primary site accounts for this difference. Stomach cancer rates showed the largest difference between the two migrant groups. This replicates the experience of Okinawans and non-Okinawans in Japan itself. Lymphosarcoma mortality rates are much higher in Okinawa than in all Japan, but this difference is not reproduced in Hawaiian migrants. This could be explained by a post migrational decrease in HTLV-I-related acute T-cell lymphoma/leukemia. Cancer of the mouth, pharynx and esophagus has decreased in all Japanese migrants, but the decrease is much greater among Okinawan migrants, suggesting they have escaped exposure to risk factors peculiar to the Okinawan environment. Colon cancer is more common in migrant Japanese than in U.S. whites. The dramatic increase in the frequency of this tumor affects Okinawan and non-Okinawan migrants to an equal degree.     

Cancer Incidence in Hawaiian Japanese: Migrants from Okinawa Compared with Those from Other Prefectures

Japanese men in Hawaii whose ancestral roots were in Okinawa were compared to Japanese migrants from all other prefectures. The Okinawan migrants have acquired fewer cancers than men from other prefectures ( P =0.12). No one primary site accounts for this difference. Stomach cancer rates showed the largest difference between the two migrant groups. This replicates the experience of Okinawans and non-Oldnawans in Japan itself. Lymphosarcoma mortality rates are much higher in Okinawa than in all Japan, but this difference is not reproduced in Hawaiian migrants. This could be explained by a post migrational decrease in HTLV-I-related acute T-cell lymphoma/leukemia. Cancer of the mouth, pharynx and esophagus has decreased in all Japanese migrants, but the decrease is much greater among Okinawan migrants, suggesting they have escaped exposure to risk factors peculiar to the Okinawan environment. Colon cancer is more common in migrant Japanese than in U.S. whites. The dramatic increase in the frequency of this tumor affects Okinawan and non-Okinawan migrants to an equal degree.     

Cancer incidence among Asian American populations in the United States, 2009–2011

Cancer incidence disparities exist among specific Asian American populations. However, the existing reports exclude data from large metropoles like Chicago, Houston and New York. Moreover, incidence rates by subgroup have been underestimated due to the exclusion of Asians with unknown subgroup. Cancer incidence data for 2009 to 2011 for eight states accounting for 68% of the Asian American population were analyzed. Race for cases with unknown subgroup was imputed using stratified proportion models by sex, age, cancer site and geographic regions. Age‐standardized incidence rates were calculated for 17 cancer sites for the six largest Asian subgroups. Our analysis comprised 90,709 Asian and 1,327,727 non‐Hispanic white cancer cases. Asian Americans had significantly lower overall cancer incidence rates than non‐Hispanic whites (336.5 per 100,000 and 541.9 for men, 299.6 and 449.3 for women, respectively). Among specific Asian subgroups, Filipino men (377.4) and Japanese women (342.7) had the highest overall incidence rates while South Asian men (297.7) and Korean women (275.9) had the lowest. In comparison to non‐Hispanic whites and other Asian subgroups, significantly higher risks were observed for colorectal cancer among Japanese, stomach cancer among Koreans, nasopharyngeal cancer among Chinese, thyroid cancer among Filipinos, and liver cancer among Vietnamese. South Asians had remarkably low lung cancer risk. Overall, Asian Americans have a lower cancer risk than non‐Hispanic whites, except for nasopharyngeal, liver and stomach cancers. The unique portrayal of cancer incidence patterns among specific Asian subgroups in this study provides a new baseline for future cancer surveillance research and health policy.     

Descriptive epidemiology of cancers in children

According to the Vital Statistics of Japan, the age-adjusted mortality rate for cancers in children has decreased almost 0.7 times between 1969 and 1986. The decrease was pronounced in cancers of the ovary, testis, stomach, nose & ear and leukemia, and in the age group under 5. Rises in the mean age at death were also observed. From international comparison, Japanese children had a relatively low mortality rate for cancers except leukemia. The international comparison of cancer of incidence suggested that some of risk factors for adult cancers were also involved in the etiology of cancers in children.     

Cancer and other causes of death among female beauticians

A retrospective cohort study was done of the mortality between 1953 and 1977 among 7,736 Japanese female beauticians who were registered from 1948 to 1960 in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. Mortalities from tuberculosis, heart disease, accidents, and all causes were significantly decreased as compared with the mortalities of general population in the prefecture. Observed deaths from all cancers combined were almost equal to those expected (148 observed vs. 139.26 expected). Among site-specific cancers studied, only slightly increased mortality from stomach cancer was statistically significant (61 observed vs. 45.59 expected). No measurable excess mortality was observed for the other sites of cancer.     

Trends in cancer incidence and mortality in Osaka, Japan: Evaluation of cancer control activities

It is essential to analyze trends in cancer incidence and mortality in the evaluation of cancer control activities. Previous studies from Japan, however, described trends in cancer incidence and mortality only qualitatively. There have been few studies that evaluated the trends quantitatively. We calculated age-standardized mortality rates (1968–2006) and incidence rates (1968–2002) for overall cancer sites and for each major site (stomach, colorectal, liver, lung, prostate, breast, and uterus) in Osaka. We applied a joinpoint regression model to the trends in incidence and mortality, in order to identify the joinpoint and estimate annual percentage change. Then, we quantified the contribution of individual cancer sites to the change in overall cancer mortality rate. For the sites that made a major contribution, we estimated the contribution of the incidence reduction to the mortality reduction. In Osaka, the overall cancer mortality started to decrease from 1998. The decrease was largely attributable to the reduction of stomach and liver cancer mortality (73% for men, 53% for women). The reduction of mortality from the two cancer sites could be explained by the decrease in their incidences (more than 80% for stomach, approximately 100% for liver). Female breast cancer incidence and mortality were both increased probably due to lifestyle changes and delayed introduction of an effective screening program among Japanese. In conclusion, the decreased overall cancer mortality in Osaka during the study period was mainly due to natural decreases in the incidence of stomach and liver cancer, which were attributable to the decrease in risk factors. ( Cancer Sci 2009: 100: 2390–2395)     

The National Mortality Survey of China: implications for cancer control and prevention

Findings of the People's Republic of China (PRC) Cancer Mortality Survey were reviewed for historic background, implications for etiologic-interventive clues, and transitional experience among Chinese migrants. Rates, calculated using the 10% sample census, were all age-adjusted. Cancer comprised about 10% of total deaths, with stomach cancer as the top killer. Minority rates, adjusted to the 1964 China population, ranged from 26.7 (Miao) to 127.5 (Kazak). Multiple high-risk areas were noted for cancer of the esophagus and other sites, and urban rates exceeded those for rural areas. The transitional experience among U.S. Chinese was examined at geographic-generational levels. Among U.S. Chinese, downward trends were found for cancers known as to be high-risk for Asian-Chinese (nasopharynx, esophagus, liver, uterus, and perhaps stomach). The reverse was true for low-risk sites (colon, lung leukemia, and female breast). Lung and colorectal cancers among females were the only major sites for which foreign-born Chinese had higher rates than U.S.-born.     

Cancer mortality among patients undergoing cholecystectomy for benign biliary diseases

Potential risks of gastrointestinal cancers after cholecystectomy were examined among 1238 patients who had had their gallbladders extirpated for benign biliary diseases from 1951 to 1970. The observed deaths between 1953 and 1984 were compared with the expected values which were calculated from death rates in Japan. No appreciable excess mortality was found for stomach cancer, colorectal cancer or pancreas cancer in relation to cholecystectomy. Observed and expected deaths during the whole observation period were 29 vs. 31.58 for stomach cancer, 8 vs. 6.50 for colorectal cancer overall, 5 vs. 3.19 for colon cancer and 3 vs. 3.51 for pancreas cancer. The corresponding figures in the 10 years or more after cholecystectomy were 14 vs. 19.06 for stomach cancer, 5 vs. 4.66 for colorectal cancer and 3 vs. 2.38 for colon cancer. A notably increased mortality from liver cancer was observed, but it was considered to be related not to cholecystectomy itself but to blood transfusion.     

Mortality from cancer among ethnic German immigrants from the Former Soviet Union, in Germany

This study aimed to compare mortality from cancers between ethnic German immigrants and the native German population. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 34,393 so-called Aussiedler from the Former Soviet Union in Germany's largest federal state and ascertained vital status and cause-of-death through population registries. We used direct and indirect standardisation to compare Aussiedler, German and Russian federation rates, and Poisson regression for influencing factors. Compared to Germans, male Aussiedler had similar all-cancer mortality, standardised mortality ratio (SMR) 0.97 (95% confidence interval: 0.86-1.10), higher mortality from lung and stomach cancers, and lower mortality from prostate cancer; SMR 0.48 (0.25-0.84). Females had lower all-cancer, lung, and breast cancer mortality with SMR (95% CI), 0.76 (0.67-0.89), 0.61 (0.34-1.01) and 0.47 (0.29-0.70), respectively. Compared to the Russian Federation, Aussiedler had lower all-cancer mortality; males had similar mortality from lung cancers. Better health care in Germany could have resulted in reduced mortality from certain cancers among Aussiedler.