Cancer incidence in the Mexican American

Abstract

Mexican Americans occupy a genetically distinct position in the U.S. population and have experienced a different environment than other Americans. Early Indian cultures were based on the cultivation of corn, and, since that time, much of the protein consumption of Mexican Americans has been derived from corn and beans, with relatively small amounts of animal protein and fat. Economically, the Mexican Americans are a disadvantaged minority who hold jobs of low status. Mexican American women experience early and frequent childbirth and manage large families. Demographically, the population is young. Lower incidence rates of cancer for all anatomic sites combined were found in male and female Spanish surnamed residents of los Angeles County when compared to other whites. These Mexican Americans were at lower risk for cancer of the buccal cavity, colon, rectum, larynx, lung, breast, bladder prostate, and testis, and were at higher risk for cancer of the stomach, gallbladder, liver and cervix. Immigrant Mexican Americans had incidence rates most divergent from other whites whereas indigenous Mexican Americans had rates between the other two groups. The cancer pattern in Mexican Americans was generally similar to that in American Indians. These data were most consistent with environmental variations in cause.