Cancer incidence in French Polynesia 1985-95

OBJECTIVE To describe the variations in cancer incidence in the population born in French Polynesia (FP) according to the archipelago of birth and to compare this incidence with that of Hawaiians and Maoris. METHODS Study of data from the Cancer Registry of FP, evacuation files, ins urance records, hospital and pathology laboratory files. RESULTS The overall world standardized cancer incidence in FP during the 19 85-95 period in the populations born and living in FP was 246 per 105 perso n-years (PY) among women and 244 per 105 PY among men. The overall cancer i ncidence was similar to that in Hawaiians, but 25% lower than in Maoris. Di gestive tract cancer incidence was a third that of these two reference popu lations, whereas that of pharynx, larynx and thyroid cancers was approximat ely twice as high. The overall cancer incidence rate increased between the period 1985-89 and the period 1990-95 in women, but was stable in men. Colo rectal cancer incidence was highest in inhabitants born on the Windward Isl ands. Women born on the Austral Islands had a higher thyroid and liver canc er incidence and a lower breast cancer incidence. CONCLUSIONS Further studies are needed to elucidate the variations observed between FP archipelagos, Maoris and Hawaiians.