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CANCER RATES AND TRENDS IN NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA MCSS

1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY This report provides a brief overview of cancer incidence rates and trends in seven and St. Louis). Data on cancer incidence used in this report come from the Minnesota Cancer Surveillance System, the National Cancer Institute, and two previous surveys of cancer rates in portions of Minnesota. There were 11,719 new cancers of all types diagnosed among residents of Northeastern Minnesota during the period 1988-94. The annual incidence rate in Northeastern Minnesota was identical to the statewide average during that period. The overall rate among males was 5% lower than the statewide average, while the overall rate among females was 4% higher than the average. Some differences in rates were noted for specific types of cancer. These differences could reflect random statistically variations, medical screening practices, or the impact of various risk factors such as smoking, diet, occupation, etc. The lower overall rate in males is due mainly to the 17% deficit of prostate cancers-the most common cancer diagnosed among men. No one type of cancer accounted for the slight excess among females. There was a 17% excess of uterine cancers. Slight excesses were seen for cancers of the stomach and esophagus in both males and females. A 70% excess of mesothelioma was found among males in the Northeast (39 cases). There was a 70% deficit among females (2 cases). The only known risk factor for mesothelioma is a past exposure to asbestos. The disease typically occurs 30-40 years after the onset of exposure. At least a portion of this excess is attributable to occupational exposures at a manufacturing facility in Carlton County during the period 1958-74. Changes in cancer incidence rates in Northeastern Minnesota over the past 20 years are comparable to changes that have occurred in the Twin Cities Metro area and elsewhere in the US. The most striking changes were the 3-fold increases in lung cancer rates among women and skin melanoma rates among both sexes. A sharp decrease occurred in cervical cancer. Increases occurred for cancers of the breast and prostate, and for all cancers combined.