American Indians In Northern Plains Have Higher Rates Of Cancer Than Those In Other Regions, Whites, Research Finds

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American Indians in the Northern Plains region get higher rates of cancer the Crab than American Indians in other regions, according to research promulgated in the journal Cancer, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. In addition, the research shows that when compared with whites in the like region, American Indians suffer a:

39% higher el Salvadoran colon and rectal cancer charge per unit;


135% higher stomach cancer the Crab rate;


148% higher gall bladder cancer rate; and a


197% higher liver crab rate.


The research also establish that:

Native Alaskans had some of the highest cancer rates in the nation;


Northern Plains American Indians have the highest rate of lung cancer among American Indians nationwide; and


The breast cancer rate among American Indian women living in the Southwest is half the rate of white women, while American Indian women living in the Northern Plains region receive a similar breast crab rate as white women.


David Perdue -- one of the scientists leading the research and a University of Minnesota gastroenterologist, world Health Organization has specialised in inquiry on cancer and health disparities involving American Indians -- aforesaid the higher cancer rates can be attributed to differences in diet, genetic science, environmental conditions and smoking and diabetes rates. He added that genetic and cultural differences among different American Indian subgroups as well contribute to cancer rates, noting that studies often group different American Indian subgroups together. Perdue aforementioned, "American Indians tend to be diagnosed with later-stage disease," which makes it "harder to treat and harder to survive." Early detection and lifestyle changes could keep a majority of the cancers, he said.

He recommended increased awareness and additional financing for screening and treatment to address the matter. "It is evident from this research that much more needs to be done to close the disparity gap," he aforementioned (Lerner, Minneapolis Star Tribune, 8/20).


Several studies on cancer and American Indians and Alaska Natives are available in a addendum of the journal Cancer.


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