Cancer incidence of hispanics and non‐hispanic whites in Cook County, Illinois

Abstract

Background. Variations in cancer incidence and mortality rates between Hispanics and non‐Hispanic whites have been reported in several regions in the United States. This report describes the ethnic variation in selected cancer sites in Cook County, Illinois. Methods. Cancer incidence, age‐specific, and age‐standardized relative rates, and 95% confidence intervals were estimated among Hispanics and non‐Hispanic whites in Cook County, Illinois, for 1986‐1987. Hispanics were identified using surnames and maiden names with the Generally Useful Ethnic Search System (GUESS). Results. Rates of lung cancer in Hispanics were approximately half of those observed for non‐Hispanic whites. Hispanics also had lower rates of colon, breast, and bladder cancer. Hispanic females had rates of invasive cervical cancer that were approximately two times higher than those of non‐Hispanic whites. Conclusions. These results are consistent with previous studies and suggest that Hispanics residing in the United States may retain some of the risk profile of those living in their home country. Cancer 1995;75:2939–45. Copyright © 1995 American Cancer Society