INCREASING INCIDENCE OF COLON AND RECTAL-CANCER AMONG HISPANICS AND AMERICAN-INDIANS IN NEW-MEXICO (UNITED-STATES), 1969-94

Objectives: This study evaluates time trends in colon and rectal cance r incidence and mortality among the three major race/ethnic groups (Hi spanics, American Indians, and non-Hispanic Whites) in New Mexico (Uni ted States). Methods: We used data from the New Mexico Tumor Registry (NMTR) and computed average annual age-standardized incidence and mort ality rates. Colon cancer incidence rates were further examined by ana tomical subsite. Estimated annual percent change (EAPC) in incidence a nd mortality over time were computed using Poisson regression. Results : Invasive colorectal cancer incidence rates increased from 1969-89 in all three race/ethnic groups, but decreased among non-Hispanic Whites in 1990-94, while rates continued to increase among minority populati ons, especially among minority men. Over the 26-year period, EAPC in c olon cancer incidence among men was 3.6 percent for Hispanics, 4.7 per cent for American Indians, and 0.7 percent for non-Hispanic Whites. Ri ght-sided colon cancers were more common among American Indian women, and among all women aged 65 years and older. Mortality rates decreased steadily among non-Hispanic Whites over the study period, especially among women. Conclusions: Studies are needed to identify important mod ifiable risk factors and to develop strategies to increase the use of colorectal cancer screening-procedures among the minority populations.