McGahan CE, et al. - The cancer incidence and survival in the First Nations (FN) population of British Columbia (BC) were explored. In addition, experts compared it to the non-FN population. As compared to non-FN people, FN people living in BC faced unique cancer issues. In order to look into the likely multifaceted basis for these findings, higher incidence and lower survival associated with certain cancer types required further research.

Methods

• The clinicians linked all new cancers diagnosed from 1993 to 2010 to the First Nations Client File (FNCF).
• They estimated age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) and rate ratios, and 1- and 5-year cause-specific survival estimates and hazard ratios.
• December 31, 2011 was the follow-up end date for survival and follow-up time was censored at a maximum of 15 years.

Results

• As compared to non-FN residents, ASIR of colorectal cancer (male SRR = 1.42, 95% CI 1.25–1.61; female SRR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.06–1.38) and cervical cancer (SRR = 1.84, 95% CI 1.45–2.33) were higher overall in FN residents in BC.
• In FN populations overall and by sex, age, and period categories, incidence rates of almost all other cancers were generally similar or lower, compared to non-FN residents.
• Results revealed similar trends in ASIR over time except for lung (increasing for FN, decreasing for non-FN) and colorectal cancers (increasing for FN, decreasing for non-FN).
• With differences evident for some cancer sites at 1 year following diagnosis, survival rates were generally lower for FN.