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Cancer incidence and mortality hit blacks hardest


 

The incidence and mortality of invasive cancers were higher for blacks than for all other ethnicities in the United States in 2009, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The incidence of all cancers among blacks was 473 per 100,000 persons, compared with 459 per 100,000 for all races. The incidence was 457 per 100,000 for whites, 353 per 100,000 for Hispanics, 292 per 100,000 for Asians/Pacific Islanders, and 273 per 100,000 for American Indians/Alaska Natives (MMWR 2013;62:113-8).

The mortality rate for all invasive cancers among blacks – 208 per 100,000 persons – was again higher than the combined rate for all ethnic groups. Mortality was 172 per 100,000 persons in whites, 116 per 100,000 in Hispanics, 114 per 100,000 in American Indians/Alaska Natives, and 107 per 100,000 in Asians/Pacific Islanders, according to the CDC.

r.franki@elsevier.com

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