Cancer in Greenlandic Inuit 1973-1997.
OBJECTIVE
During the second half of the 20th century living conditions of the Inuit populations in the Arctic have undergone major transitions. The objective was to investigate how the cancer pattern was affected by these changes, using data from the Danish Cancer Registry and the Civil Registration System.


RESULTS
In the period 1973-1997 total cancer incidence increased by 4% per 5 years for men and 6% per 5 years for women. The incidence of lung, stomach, breast and colon cancer increased in both sexes, whereas the incidence of cervical cancer decreased.


CONCLUSIONS
Thus, the overall cancer incidence among Greenlandic Inuit is increasing as a result of increases in several cancers that are common in Western populations. In contrast to global trends, a significant increase in the incidence of stomach cancer in both sexes was observed.
Friborg
Jeppe
J
Department of Epidemiology Research, Danish Epidemiology Science Centre, Statens Serum Institute, Copenhagen, Denmark. jfr@ssi.dk
Koch
Anders
A
Wohlfarht
Jan
J
Storm
Hans-Henrik
HH
Melbye
Mads
M
D005260:Female; D006116:Greenland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D004930:Inuit / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology; D012042:Registries