Ziadeh C et al. – In the current study it was shown that differences in cancer risk between Middle Eastern (ME) first-generation immigrants and non-Hispanic Whites (NHW) change in second or subsequent generations, approaching the risk level of NHW.

Methods

• Data from the California Cancer Registry were used to identify invasive primary incident cancer cases in three population groups: a) first generation ME immigrants; b) second or subsequent generations ME immigrants; and c) NHW.

Results

• First-generation ME immigrants were more likely to be at increased risk of stomach (proportional incidence ratio [PIR]= 3.13) and hepatobiliary (PIR=2.27) cancers in females and thyroid (PIR=2.19) and stomach (PIR=2.13) cancers in males in comparison with NHW.
• Second- or subsequent-generation ME immigrants were at increased risk of thyroid cancer (PIR=1.43 in females and 2.00 in males) in comparison with NHW, and malignant melanoma cancer (PIR=4.53 in females and 4.61 in males) in comparison with first-generation ME immigrants.
• The risk levels of breast, thyroid, and bladder cancers in first-generation ME immigrants were significantly higher compared to NHW, regardless of time spent in the US, suggesting the role of genetic predisposition and/or cultural characteristics associated with these cancers.