BREAST-CANCER IN CIRCUMPOLAR INUIT 1969-1988

Breast cancer was studied over a 20-year period in Inuit populations i n the Circumpolar region, A total of 193 breast cancers were observed in women, The incidence increased from 28.2 per 100 000 in 1969-1973 t o 34.3 per 100 000 in 1984-1988, However, the incidence is low, about half what could be expected based on the rates in Denmark, Canada and Connecticut (USA). The low incidence could be explained by the Inuit d iet and other lifestyle factors, These benefits should be preserved, i n particular in the young, to maintain a low breast cancer incidence.