Cancer incidence among 1st generation migrants compared to native Danes--a retrospective cohort study.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the incidence of cancer among 1st generation migrants compared to native Danes, including time trends in the risk of cancer among migrants.


METHODS
A retrospective cohort study design. Migrants were matched 1:4 on age and sex with a Danish born reference population. The cohort was linked to the Danish Cancer Register and cancer cases among migrants (n=537) and native Danes (n=2829) were identified.


RESULTS
The overall cancer incidence did not differ significantly between migrants from East Europe and native Danes; whereas migrants from the Middle East and North Africa had a significantly lower incidence. All migrants had a significantly lower incidence of breast and colorectal cancer but male migrants from East Europe had a significantly higher incidence of lung cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
The overall cancer incidence among migrants was lower compared to native Danes. The time trends of the study are interesting and a relevant topic for further research.
Norredam
M
M
Department of Health Services Research & Biostatistics, Institute of Public Health, University of Copenhagen, Østre Farimagsgade 5, Building 5, 1014 Copenhagen K, Denmark. m.norredam@pubhealth.ku.dk
Krasnik
A
A
Pipper
C
C
Keiding
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005061:Europe, Eastern / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008877:Middle East / Q000208:ethnology; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology*; D009656:North America / Q000208:ethnology; D012036:Refugees / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014171:Transients and Migrants / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*