Highest Cancer Incidence Rates Research Articles

Thyroid Cancer Incidence Among Korean Individuals: A Comparison of South Korea and the United States.

To compare thyroid cancer incidence rates and trends between Korean, non-Korean Asian, and non-Hispanic White populations in the United States, and between the US Korean population and the South Korean population. Population-based analysis of cancer incidence data. Cases of thyroid cancer diagnosed during 1999-2014 from the Korean Central Cancer Registry (KCCR) and the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 9 detailed Asian/Pacific Islander subgroup incidence and population dataset were included. Incidence rates were obtained from the datasets, and annual percent change (APC) of the incidence rates was calculated using Joinpoint regression analysis. Thyroid cancer incidence rate for 1999-2014 was significantly higher for South Korea (48.05 [95% CI 47.89-48.22] per 100,000 person-years) than for the US Korean population (11.12 [95% CI 10.49-11.78] per 100,000 person-years), which was slightly higher than the Non-Korean Asian population (10.23 [95% CI 10.02-10.43] per 100,000 person-years), and slightly lower than the Non-Hispanic White population (12.78 [95% CI 12.69-12.87] per 100,000 person-years). Incidence rates in South Korea increased dramatically (average APC 17.9, 95% CI 16.0-19.9), significantly higher than the US Korean population (average APC 5.0, 95% CI 3.1-6.8), which was similar to the non-Korean Asian (average APC 2.5, 95% CI 0.9-4.2) and the non-Hispanic White (average APC 5.1, 95% CI 4.7-5.6) populations. South Korea's high thyroid cancer incidence rates cannot be attributed to genetic factors, but are likely due to health care system factors. 3 Laryngoscope, 2024.

Neighborhood social vulnerability and disparities in time to kidney cancer surgical treatment and survival in Arizona.

Hispanics and American Indians (AI) have high kidney cancer incidence and mortality rates in Arizona. This study assessed: (1) whether racial and ethnic minority patients and patients from neighborhoods with high social vulnerability index (SVI) experience a longer time to surgery after clinical diagnosis, and (2) whether time to surgery, race and ethnicity, and SVI are associated with upstaging to pT3/pT4, disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). Arizona Cancer Registry (2009-2018) kidney and renal pelvis cases (n = 4592) were analyzed using logistic regression models to assess longer time to surgery and upstaging. Cox-regression hazard models were used to test DFS and OS. Hispanic and AI patients with T1 tumors had a longer time to surgery than non-Hispanic White patients (median time of 56, 55, and 45 days, respectively). Living in neighborhoods with high (≥75) overall SVI increased odds of a longer time to surgery for cT1a (OR 1.54, 95% CI: 1.02-2.31) and cT2 (OR 2.32, 95% CI: 1.13-4.73). Race and ethnicity were not associated with time to surgery. Among cT1a patients, a longer time to surgery increased odds of upstaging to pT3/pT4 (OR 1.95, 95% CI: 0.99-3.84). A longer time to surgery was associated with PFS (HR 1.52, 95% CI: 1.17-1.99) and OS (HR 1.63, 95% CI: 1.26-2.11). Among patients with cT2 tumor, living in high SVI neighborhoods was associated with worse OS (HR 1.66, 95% CI: 1.07-2.57). High social vulnerability was associated with increased time to surgery and poor survival after surgery.

Lung and Colorectal Cancer Disparities in Appalachian Kentucky: Spatial Analysis on the Influence of Education and Literacy.

Low educational attainment and high cancer incidence and mortality rates have long been a challenge in Appalachian Kentucky. Prior studies have reported disparities in cancer incidence and mortality between Appalachian and non-Appalachian populations, but the influence of education on this disparity has not been extensively studied. Herein, all cancers and two cancer sites with available screenings (colorectal and lung) were joined with education indicators (educational attainment and literacy) and one geographic indicator across all 120 Kentucky counties. This dataset was used to build choropleth maps and perform simple linear and spatial regression to assess statistical significance and to measure the strength of the linear relationship between county-level education and cancer-related outcomes in Appalachian and non-Appalachian Kentucky. Among all cancer sites, age-adjusted cancer incidence and mortality was higher in Appalachian versus non-Appalachian Kentucky. The percentage of the population not completing high school was positively correlated with increased colorectal and lung cancer incidence and mortality in Appalachia. Similarly, counties with a higher percentage of the population lacking basic literacy had the strongest correlation with colorectal and lung cancer incidence and mortality, which were concentrated in Appalachian Kentucky. Our findings suggest a need for implementing interventions that increase educational attainment and enhance basic literacy as a means of improving cancer outcomes in Appalachia.

Racial disparity in cancer clinical trials: An analysis of clinicaltrials.gov protocols for race-related language and description.

e18545 Background: Despite high cancer mortality rates in Black and Hispanic patients, they remain underrepresented in clinical trials. We analyze clinicaltrials.gov trial protocols to understand how sponsors discuss race, ethnicity, or diversity-related keywords, and map the distribution of cancer trials in the USA in relation to cancer incidence rates among Black and Hispanic Americans. Our study highlights the potential of enhanced sponsor information and data-driven site selection to reduce racial disparities in clinical trials. Methods: The US oncology trials from NIH’s clinicaltrials.gov were searched for racial disparity-related keywords using Kognitic© NLP algorithms. Keywords such as "racial," "ethnicity," "minority," "African American,”, "Hispanic” etc. were included. Only Hispanic and African American races were considered. Data were verified, classified based on keywords found. Zip codes of recruiting clinical trial sites were mapped to high-cancer-incidence counties among Hispanics and Black Americans (sources: statecancerprofiles.cancer.gov and unitedstateszipcodes.org). Results: We found 8338 (21% of all US cancer trials) clinical trials addressing racial disparity in cancer, with 4.3% being industry-sponsored, 8.3% academic-industry collaborations, and 87.3% non-industry-sponsored. 50% of the trials were interventional and the other 50% were observational, with biopharma as the primary industry represented. In industry-sponsored trials, only 10.3% directly explore race-based outcome differences, with the remainder collecting demographic data or having patients self-report their race. After comparing the locations of cancer clinical trials currently underway in the United States to counties with the highest cancer incidence rates among Black and Hispanic Americans, we discovered that only a limited number of clinical trial sites are in those high-incidence counties. Only four out of the top ten counties with the highest cancer incidence rates for Blacks and one out of the top ten for Hispanics have clinical trials actively recruiting patients, with most trials in both populations being conducted by non-industry sponsors. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that a limited number of cancer clinical trials mention race and ethnicity in publicly available trial protocols, and even fewer industry trials include race-related information. Our site analysis shows that a major gap in access to trials in areas with high cancer incidence rates, particularly for populations with low socioeconomic status. More analysis is needed to understand the relationship between trials and demographic conditions in America. Providing details on plans to address racial disparities in recruitment, trial design, and site selection will promote inclusive trial design that are accurate assessment of how drugs work in various types of patients.

Incidence profile of four major cancers among migrants in Australia, 2005–2014

PurposeTo compare the incidence profile of four major cancers in Australia by place of birth.MethodsIn this retrospective population-based cohort study, the analysis included 548,851 residents diagnosed with primary colorectum, lung, female breast, or prostate cancer during 2005–2014. Incidence rate ratio (IRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated for migrant groups relative to Australian-born.ResultsCompared with Australian-born residents, most migrant groups had significantly lower incidence rates for cancers of the colorectum, breast and prostate. The lowest rates of colorectal cancer were among males born in Central America (IRR = 0.46, 95% CI 0.29–0.74) and females born in Central Asia (IRR = 0.38, 95% CI 0.23–0.64). Males born in North-East Asia had the lowest rates of prostate cancer (IRR = 0.40, 95% CI 0.38–0.43) and females born in Central Asia had the lowest rates of breast cancer (IRR = 0.55, 95% CI 0.43–0.70). For lung cancer, several migrant groups had higher rates than Australian-born residents, with the highest rates among those from Melanesia (males IRR = 1.39, 95% CI 1.10–1.76; females IRR = 1.40, 95% CI 1.10–1.78).ConclusionsThis study describes cancer patterns among Australian migrants, which are potentially helpful in understanding the etiology of these cancers and guiding the implementation of culturally sensitive and safe prevention measures. The lower incidence rates observed for most migrant groups may be maintained with continued emphasis on supporting communities to minimize modifiable risk factors such as smoking and alcohol consumption and participation in organized cancer screening programmes. Additionally, culturally sensitive tobacco control measures should be targeted to migrant communities with high lung cancer incidence rates.

Abstract 1920: Association of type 2 diabetes with overall and site-specific cancer among predominantly low-income Black and White Americans

Abstract Background: Black individuals have the highest cancer incidence rate in the United States compared to White and other populations. Additionally, they are also twice as likely to develop type 2 diabetes (T2D) during their lifetime. Specifically considering the association between diabetes and cancer incidence, both diseases share common modifiable and nonmodifiable risk factors such as, aging, obesity, lack of physical activity, unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking. This association could vary between cancer types and race is also a factor which could disproportionately affect this relationship. However, studies on these associations are limited and the impact in terms of risk between the Black and White Americans remains unclear. Objective: We evaluated the association of T2D with risk of total and 26 site-specific cancers in a large cohort study conducted among predominantly low-income Black and White Americans who have a higher risk of T2D than other populations. Given the previous literature on T2D, cancer, and race, we hypothesized that T2D might be associated with varying risk for cancer. Methods: For this analysis, we used data from the Southern Community Cohort Study, an on-going prospective cohort study. Enrollment began in 2002 and concluded in 2009, with active follow-up until 2020. Study participants were asked whether they were diagnosed with T2D by physicians at the follow-up interviews and T2D was assessed as a time-varying covariate. Ascertainment of incident cancer was carried out via linkage to state cancer registries. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) after adjusting for confounders. Results: This study included 81,525 participants (30.2 % (N=24,581) White; 65.9% (N=53,711) Black) of whom 36.2% (N=29,487) were diagnosed with diabetes. Among those with diabetes, 10.3% (N=3,024) were diagnosed with cancer. Individuals with T2D had an elevated risk of several cancers, including pancreatic cancer (HR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.18-1.96); but a reduced risk of esophageal cancer (HR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.34-0.89). Some racial differences were found regarding the association of T2D with cancer risk. Conclusion: We found varying risks between T2D and risk of cancer between White and Black individuals. This highlights the importance of T2D prevention practices to help mitigate the risk of cancer and that further research is necessary to understand this association in minority individuals. Citation Format: Pranoti Pradhan, Wanqing Wen, Wei Zheng. Association of type 2 diabetes with overall and site-specific cancer among predominantly low-income Black and White Americans [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 1920.

Are National Cancer Centers Prepared to Deliver Climate-Smart, Resilient Healthcare? An Overview and Analysis of Organizations' Sustainability Plans

<h3>Purpose/Objective(s)</h3> Climate change will be the greatest global health threat of the 21st century. The impact on human health is well-documented and expected to increase if mitigation efforts remain inadequate. The health care sector and oncologists are on the front line of this crisis with vulnerable and marginalized patients bearing the burdens of a changing climate. Equally important, healthcare significantly contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In the U.S., healthcare is responsible for nearly 8.5% of GHG emissions and the loss of 388,000 disability-adjusted life-years annually. Cancer care encapsulates a significant portion of hospital resources. Therefore, it is imperative and urgent that cancer centers actively engage in transitioning to delivering climate-smart, resilient healthcare. Today, centers' engagement in sustainability planning remains largely unknown. This comprehensive review reports on the existence of publicly available sustainability plans at National Cancer Institute (NCI) Cancer Centers and their affiliations. <h3>Materials/Methods</h3> An online review of 64 NCI designated Comprehensive/Cancer Centers and affiliated hospitals/universities was performed using standardized search terms to identify organizations' publicly accessible sustainability plans. Quality of the plans was assessed based on the existence of U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Scope 1, 2, 3 emissions. Key personnel and hospital leaders were identified and contacted to understand the centers' involvement in affiliated hospital/university plans. Independent t-tests were utilized to assess the relationship between state cancer incidence rates/per capita and the presence of a sustainability plan. <h3>Results</h3> Amongst the 64 Cancer Centers, only two centers (3%) had independent sustainability plans, although 7 (11%) centers mentioned sustainability on their homepage. A total of 55 of the affiliated hospitals/universities had publicly available sustainability plans (36 university, 12 hospital, and 7 joint hospital/university). A majority (77%) of hospitals with plans also had appointed sustainability leadership. In states where a hospital had a sustainability plan, there was a higher cancer incidence rate (p = 0.052), but there were no significant relationships with specific cancer disease sites (breast [p=0.090], colon [p=0.078], lung [p=0.088], prostate [p=0.696]). <h3>Conclusion</h3> Our findings highlight the critical gap in NCI Cancer Centers' involvement in transitioning to environmentally sustainable and resilient healthcare that will be necessary as cancer patients are affected by the imminent changes of climate. While most centers do not independently report on sustainability efforts, the majority (84%) of their affiliations have publicly accessible sustainability plans. Thus, highlighting the opportunity for centers to partner with their affiliated organizations, and together, ensure a future of climate-smart care for all patients and communities.

Evaluation of human papillomavirus (HPV) knowledge among healthcare professionals: A study of conference attendees in Angola

ABSTRACT Human papillomavirus (HPV) plays an essential role in cervical cancer development. Angola has a high cervical cancer incidence rate (36.1 per 100,000); therefore, knowledge of HPV among clinicians is essential for the prevention of cervical cancer and educating at-risk individuals. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge of HPV among healthcare professionals in Angola. A 44-item questionnaire was distributed to 65 healthcare professionals who attended a conference on the cancer burden in Angola. Non-parametric and multiple regression analyses were conducted. Of the participants (55.6%) were male, and 33.3% were aged 31–40 years, 56.3% had an undergraduate degree, and 35.9% had a postgraduate degree. All participants worked in healthcare in academic and/or clinical settings, with 36.7% in joint contracts. Most (62.2%) knew that early sexual debut increases the risk of contracting HPV, and HPV vaccines are most effective if administered before sexual debut. However, there was limited knowledge regarding the virus transmission. The mean HPV knowledge score was 11.08 ± 8.76 and knowledge was higher among older healthcare workers (>50 years) with a postgraduate degree and working in a clinical role. Overall, HPV knowledge was limited among the respondents. Policymakers should consider promoting knowledge and targeted public health initiatives among healthcare professionals in Angola.

High prevalence of somatic PIK3CA and TP53 pathogenic variants in the normal mammary gland tissue of sporadic breast cancer patients revealed by duplex sequencing

The mammary gland undergoes hormonally stimulated cycles of proliferation, lactation, and involution. We hypothesized that these factors increase the mutational burden in glandular tissue and may explain high cancer incidence rate in the general population, and recurrent disease. Hence, we investigated the DNA sequence variants in the normal mammary gland, tumor, and peripheral blood from 52 reportedly sporadic breast cancer patients. Targeted resequencing of 542 cancer-associated genes revealed subclonal somatic pathogenic variants of: PIK3CA, TP53, AKT1, MAP3K1, CDH1, RB1, NCOR1, MED12, CBFB, TBX3, and TSHR in the normal mammary gland at considerable allelic frequencies (9 × 10−2– 5.2 × 10−1), indicating clonal expansion. Further evaluation of the frequently damaged PIK3CA and TP53 genes by ultra-sensitive duplex sequencing demonstrated a diversified picture of multiple low-level subclonal (in 10−2–10−4 alleles) hotspot pathogenic variants. Our results raise a question about the oncogenic potential in non-tumorous mammary gland tissue of breast-conserving surgery patients.

A Review of Biosensors for Detecting Tumor Markers in Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer has the highest cancer incidence rate in women. Early screening of breast cancer can effectively improve the treatment effect of patients. However, the main diagnostic techniques available for the detection of breast cancer require the corresponding equipment, professional practitioners, and expert analysis, and the detection cost is high. Tumor markers are a kind of active substance that can indicate the existence and growth of the tumor. The detection of tumor markers can effectively assist the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. The conventional detection methods of tumor markers have some shortcomings, such as insufficient sensitivity, expensive equipment, and complicated operations. Compared with these methods, biosensors have the advantages of high sensitivity, simple operation, low equipment cost, and can quantitatively detect all kinds of tumor markers. This review summarizes the biosensors (2013–2021) for the detection of breast cancer biomarkers. Firstly, the various reported tumor markers of breast cancer are introduced. Then, the development of biosensors designed for the sensitive, stable, and selective recognition of breast cancer biomarkers was systematically discussed, with special attention to the main clinical biomarkers, such as human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) and estrogen receptor (ER). Finally, the opportunities and challenges of developing efficient biosensors in breast cancer diagnosis and treatment are discussed.

Incidência de câncer em Mato Grosso: análise dos registros de base populacional (2007 a 2011)

To analyze five types of cancer health region in the state of Mato Grosso according to sex. A descriptive ecological study of the health regions of Mato Grosso state using two data sets on the incidence of population-based cancer registries in Mato Grosso - inland and Cuiabá. Age-adjusted annual incidence rates were calculated for the world population in 1960, according to sex, for the period comprising 2007 to 2011. Although we are still facing problems related to data completeness and quality, the most common cancer types were prostate, female breast, cervix, lung, colorectal and stomach cancer in the state of Mato Grosso from 2007 to 2011. The most frequent types among men were prostate and lung cancer. Among women, breast and cervix cancer were the most frequent ones. The highest incidence rates of cancer per 100,000 inhabitants were found in health regions Tangará da Serra, Sinop, Rondonópolis, and Porto Alegre do Norte. Identifying the main types of cancer is important for the improvement of cancer prevention and control actions, as well as to understand its magnitude and impact on society. We must continue to improve the quality of information available in population-based cancer records in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil.

Through the Lens: Youth Experiences with Cancer in Rural Appalachian Kentucky Using Photovoice.

Rural Appalachian Kentucky experiences disproportionately high cancer incidence and mortality rates. This cancer burden is due to social determinants of health and cultural factors prominent in the region. The firsthand experiences of community members—especially young people—can highlight these factors and identify areas for improvement. The purpose of this study was to encourage Appalachian Kentucky youth to consider determinants of cancer and visualize the effects that cancer has on their families or communities by asking them to take photographs of cancer-related objects around them. Content analysis was performed on 238 photographs submitted by 25 students, and photographs were organized into themes, subthemes, and subtopics. The six themes that emerged were risk factors and exposures, marketing, awareness and support, health care, experiences, and metaphorical representations. Many of the submitted photographs aligned with cultural, environmental and/or situational factors prevalent in Appalachian Kentucky. Of the submitted photographs, 54 were displayed as an installment in two Kentucky art galleries. Viewer comments at the exhibitions demonstrated that young community members can educate and motivate change in those around them. Ultimately, this project demonstrates that young community members can recognize cancer-related issues around them and connect personal experiences back to the larger Appalachian Kentucky cancer disparity while also having an impact on other community members.

High Thyroid Cancer Incidence Rate in a Community near a Landfill: A Descriptive Epidemiological Assessment.

Background: to investigate the high thyroid cancer incidence rate of Staten Island and to disentangle the effects of potential environmental exposure from a landfill from screening. Methods: age-adjusted thyroid cancer incidence rates obtained from the New York State Public Access Cancer Epidemiology Data for New York State (NYS) excluding New York City (NYC) and the five NYC boroughs, including Staten Island, were mapped over time (1995–2018), investigated per age group and by percentage of localized thyroid cancer. Changes in trends were assessed using joinpoint. Contaminants of concern on Staten Island were assessed for carcinogenic and endocrine disruptive properties. Results: a more pronounced thyroid cancer incidence rate increase, without a difference in age distribution and similar percentages of localized thyroid cancer, was found in Staten Island compared to its demographic equivalent (NYS excluding NYC). Multiple contaminants of concern with carcinogenic and endocrine disrupting properties (e.g., cadmium, lead) were identified in air, water and sediment samples. Conclusion: investigations into the effects of increased/sustained environmental exposures are needed in chronically exposed populations to identify potential mechanisms of action of certain pollutants.

Spatial epidemiologic analysis of the liver cancer and gallbladder cancer incidence and its determinants in South Korea

BackgroundThere have been reports on regional variation in prevalence of hepatitis B and C, and Clonorchis sinensis (C. sinensis) infection, which indicates potential of spatial variation in liver cancer and gallbladder cancer incidence in Korea. Therefore, we aimed to assess the regional variation of liver and gallbladder cancer incidence and its determinants based on the regional distribution of risk factors, including hepatitis B infection in Korea.MethodsThis study used an ecological study design and district-level cancer incidence statistics generated by the National Cancer Center. Spatial clusters of liver and gallbladder cancer incidence were detected based on spatial scan statistics using SaTScan™ software. We set the size of maximum spatial scanning window of 25 and 35% of the population at risk for analyses of liver and gallbladder cancer, respectively. Significance level of 0.05 was used to reject the null hypothesis of no cluster. We fitted the Besag-York-Mollie model using integrated nested Laplace approximations to assess factors that influence the regional variation in cancer incidence.ResultsSpatial clusters with high liver cancer incidence rates were detected in the southwestern and southeastern regions of Korea. High gallbladder cancer incidence rates are clustered in the southeastern region. Regional liver cancer incidence can be accounted for the prevalence of high household income (coefficient, − 0.10; 95% credible interval [CI], − 0.18 to − 0.02), marital status (coefficient, − 0.14; 95% CI, − 0.25 to − 0.03), the incidence of hepatitis B (coefficient, 0.87; 95% CI, 0.29 to 1.44), and liver cancer screening (coefficient, 0.06; 95% CI, 0.00 to 0.12), while gallbladder cancer incidence was related to the prevalence of high household income (coefficient, − 0.03; 95% CI, − 0.05 to 0.00) and living close to a river with a high prevalence of liver fluke infection (coefficient, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.14 to 0.96).ConclusionsThis study demonstrated geographic variation in liver and gallbladder cancer incidence, which can be explained by determinants such as hepatitis B, income, marital status, and living near a river.

Analysis of Cancer Incidence in the Population of the Leningrad Region

Introduction: Extensive measures are taken in the Russian Federation to reduce cancer incidence and mortality in the population but the proportion of incident cases in advanced stages is still large while correct registration of deaths and diseases remains a challenge. Our objectives were to study the incidence of malignant neoplasms in the Leningrad Region, to establish territories at risk, and to analyze carcinogenic risk factors associated with environmental conditions in these territories. Materials and methods: We used data of the Federal Statistical Observation Forms No. 7 “Information on Malignant Neoplasms”, No. 12 “Information on the Number of Diseases Registered in Patients Living in the Service Area of a Medical Organization”, No. 18 “Information on the Sanitary Condition of the Subject of the Russian Federation”, and information on the size of population by sex and age in the Leningrad Region and its districts for 2008–2018. We applied a direct method of standardizing incidence rates by age, analyzed the dynamics of incidence, and estimated statistical significance of differences in the incidence rates between the territories of comparison. Results: Cancer incidence in the Leningrad Region was lower than that in Russia. In 2008–2018, the highest rates were registered in the Kirishsky and Podporozhsky districts. In the Podporozhsky district, the standardized incidence rate in 2018 was 328.1 cases per 100,000 population or 1.79 times higher than the regional average, while the average rate for 2008–2018 exceeded the regional average by 1.36 times. The Kirishsky district ranked second by the incidence of malignant neoplasms in the Leningrad Region in 2018 (241.4 cases per 100,000 population or 1.32 times higher than the regional average), while the average rate for 2008–2018 exceeded the regional one by 1.47 times. Conclusions: Additional research is necessary to establish the causes of high cancer incidence rates in the Kirishsky and Podporozhsky districts of the Leningrad Region.

Do cancer incidence and mortality rates differ among ethnicities in Canada?

Cancer incidence rates have been shown to vary by ethnicity, and the increasing awareness of and interest in reporting ethnic health inequalities have been growing internationally. The objective of this study was to assess cancer incidence and mortality rates by ethnicity in Canada. The study used the 2006 Canadian Census Health and Environment Cohort, linked to the Canadian Cancer Registry and the Canadian Vital Statistics-Death Database, to determine cancer cases and mortality from 2006 to 2016. Ethnicity was categorized as non-Indigenous North American (NINA); European; Caribbean; Latin, Central and South American (LCSA); African; East Asian; South Asian; and West Central Asian and Middle Eastern. Europeans had the highest standardized incidence rates, while NINA had the highest mortality rates. Rates varied substantially by ethnicity and immigrant status. The top three cancers accounted for 46.5% to 61.9% of all new cancers, while the top three cancer deaths accounted for 36.1% to 61.9% of all deaths. The distribution of cancers within the top 10 cancers and the top 10 cancer deaths also differed; e.g., stomach cancer was found to be more prevalent in the East Asian, LCSA, African and Caribbean groups. Non-immigrant African males had the highest cancer incidence rates, and non-immigrant South Asian females had the highest mortality rates. There is considerable variability in cancer incidence and cancer mortality rates by ethnicity, and this study addresses the knowledge gap in Canada in this area. Establishing baseline indicators, such as cancer rates by ethnicity, is essential to understanding the differences within the diverse Canadian population and to informing targeted interventions that may help reduce health inequalities.

Urban–rural disparity in cancer incidence in China, 2008–2012: a cross-sectional analysis of data from 36 cancer registers

ObjectiveThe substantial differences in socioeconomic and lifestyle exposures between urban and rural areas in China may lead to urban–rural disparity in cancer risk. This study aimed to assess the urban–rural...

Immunodeficiency and Cancer in 3.5 Million People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV): The South African HIV Cancer Match Study.

We analyzed associations between immunodeficiency and cancer incidence in a nationwide cohort of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV; PLWH) in South Africa. We used data from the South African HIV Cancer Match Study built on HIV-related laboratory measurements from the National Health Laboratory Services and cancer records from the National Cancer Registry. We evaluated associations between time-updated CD4 cell count and cancer incidence rates using Cox proportional hazards models. We reported adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) over a grid of CD4 values and estimated the aHR per 100 CD4 cells/µL decrease. Of 3 532 266 PLWH, 15 078 developed cancer. The most common cancers were cervical cancer (4150 cases), Kaposi sarcoma (2262 cases), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (1060 cases). The association between lower CD4 cell count and higher cancer incidence rates was strongest for conjunctival cancer (aHR per 100 CD4 cells/µL decrease: 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.38-1.54), Kaposi sarcoma (aHR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.20-1.26), and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (aHR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.14-1.22). Among infection-unrelated cancers, lower CD4 cell counts were associated with higher incidence rates of esophageal cancer (aHR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.00-1.11) but not breast, lung, or prostate cancer. Lower CD4 cell counts were associated with an increased risk of developing various infection-related cancers among PLWH. Reducing HIV-induced immunodeficiency may be a potent cancer-prevention strategy among PLWH in sub-Saharan Africa, a region heavily burdened by cancers attributable to infections.

Association between Uranium Exposure and Thyroid Health: A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Analysis and Ecological Study.

Besides specific, incidental radiation exposure, which has been associated with increased thyroid cancer risk, the effects of exposure to background radiation from uranium, a naturally occurring, radioactive, and ubiquitous element, on the thyroid gland has not been widely studied. We therefore investigated the association between uranium exposure and thyroid health in the US. Using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), we assessed the association between urinary uranium levels and thyroid-related antibodies, including thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb) and anti-thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO), in the general population. Secondly, we performed an ecological study of age-adjusted thyroid cancer incidence rates per state and sources of uranium exposure. We included 3125 eligible participants from the NHANES and found a significant association between increased TgAb and increased urinary uranium levels when analyzed as quartiles (p = 0.0105), while no association was found with anti-TPO. In addition, although no significant correlation was found in the ecological study, certain states had high age-adjusted thyroid cancer incidence rates and a high number of uranium activity locations and high uranium concentrations in water. The present study suggests that uranium exposure may affect thyroid health, which warrants increased sampling of soil and water in high-risk states.

DNA hypermethylation associated with upregulated gene expression in prostate cancer demonstrates the diversity of epigenetic regulation

BackgroundProstate cancer (PCa) has the highest incidence rates of cancers in men in western countries. Unlike several other types of cancer, PCa has few genetic drivers, which has led researchers to look for additional epigenetic and transcriptomic contributors to PCa development and progression. Especially datasets on DNA methylation, the most commonly studied epigenetic marker, have recently been measured and analysed in several PCa patient cohorts. DNA methylation is most commonly associated with downregulation of gene expression. However, positive associations of DNA methylation to gene expression have also been reported, suggesting a more diverse mechanism of epigenetic regulation. Such additional complexity could have important implications for understanding prostate cancer development but has not been studied at a genome-wide scale.ResultsIn this study, we have compared three sets of genome-wide single-site DNA methylation data from 870 PCa and normal tissue samples with multi-cohort gene expression data from 1117 samples, including 532 samples where DNA methylation and gene expression have been measured on the exact same samples. Genes were classified according to their corresponding methylation and expression profiles. A large group of hypermethylated genes was robustly associated with increased gene expression (UPUP group) in all three methylation datasets. These genes demonstrated distinct patterns of correlation between DNA methylation and gene expression compared to the genes showing the canonical negative association between methylation and expression (UPDOWN group). This indicates a more diversified role of DNA methylation in regulating gene expression than previously appreciated. Moreover, UPUP and UPDOWN genes were associated with different compartments — UPUP genes were related to the structures in nucleus, while UPDOWN genes were linked to extracellular features.ConclusionWe identified a robust association between hypermethylation and upregulation of gene expression when comparing samples from prostate cancer and normal tissue. These results challenge the classical view where DNA methylation is always associated with suppression of gene expression, which underlines the importance of considering corresponding expression data when assessing the downstream regulatory effect of DNA methylation.