Five-year average annual age-adjusted cancer incidence rates for Alask
a Natives (Eskimos, Indians, and Aleuts) for the most recent period (1
989-1993) are compared to rates of 20 years earlier, Rates for all can
cers combined increased 28 and 25% in men and women, respectively, dur
ing the 25-year interval, Increases were seen in men in cancers of the
lung, prostate, and colon and in women for cancers of the lung, breas
t, and corpus uteri, Rates are also compared to data from the the Nati
onal Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (S
EER) program for United States whites, Rates for all cancers combined
in Alaska Native women are now similar to those of United States white
s, whereas rates in Alaska Native men are lower than the United States
, but only 10% lower. Significant site-specific differences previously
reported between Alaska Natives and United States whites persist.