Breast, Colorectal and Prostate Cancer Incidence among Filipino Americans by Generational Status in the Multiethnic Cohort Study.

Abstract

Filipino Americans constitute 12% and 4% of the respective populations of Hawaii and California, with a large proportion of immigrants experiencing increasing cancer rates. This study investigated the incidence of colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer by generational status in the Multiethnic Cohort (MEC). We analyzed 10,495 Filipino MEC 1st, 2nd, and 3rd generation participants, in which 26.8% were of mixed race and ethnicity. Linkage to statewide cancer registries identified 375 breast, 249 colorectal, and 436 prostate cancer incident cases. Cox models were used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the association between generational status and cancer incidence. Models were adjusted for age at cohort entry and cancer-specific covariates that were chosen based on stepwise regression. Compared to the 1st generation, colorectal cancer showed a significantly higher incidence in the 2nd and 3rd generations with respective HRs of 1.43 (95%CI: 1.04, 1.98) and 1.76 (95%CI: 1.29, 2.38). This association was attenuated after adjustment for relevant covariates. Breast cancer incidence was elevated in the 3rd vs. 1st generation (HR=1.29, 95%CI: 1.01, 1.63) even in the fully adjusted model, whereas little difference was observed for prostate cancer. In this prospective study, we found differences in incidence by generational status, specifically colorectal cancer among men and female breast cancer. Understanding behavioral changes due to acculturation is warranted to mitigate cancer risks in migrant populations.