Cancer Causes and Control
Volume 20, Issue 10, 2009, Pages 1873-1879

Cancer profile of migrants from the Former Soviet Union in Germany: Incidence and mortality (Article)

Winkler V.* , Ott J.J. , Holleczek B. , Stegmaier C. , Becher H.
  • a Institute of Public Health, Unit Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
  • b Institute of Public Health, Unit Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, Heidelberg 69120, Germany
  • c Saarland Cancer Registry, Präsident Baltz-Strae 5, 66119 Saarbrücken, Germany
  • d Saarland Cancer Registry, Präsident Baltz-Strae 5, 66119 Saarbrücken, Germany
  • e Institute of Public Health, Unit Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University Hospital Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 324, Heidelberg 69120, Germany

Abstract

This study compares cancer mortality and incidence of ethnic German migrants from the Former Soviet Union (FSU) in Germany. Data were obtained from two migrant cohorts residing in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) (n = 34,393) and Saarland (n = 18,619). Vital status of the NRW cohort was ascertained through local population registries. Causes of death were obtained from the NRW statistical office or from local health offices. Cancer incidence of the Saarland cohort was derived from the Saarland cancer registry using record linkage. From 1990 to 2005, we observed 708 cancer deaths and 586 incident cancer cases. In males, both cancer incidence and cancer mortality were similar to the German population. Female cancer incidence and mortality were lower, the latter significantly. Site-specific standardized mortality and incidence ratios showed great variation in comparison to Germans and were remarkably similar to each other for most sites. Lung cancer was elevated among males, but lower among females. Stomach cancer was higher contrasting with lower ratios for prostate cancer, male colorectal cancer, and female breast cancer. Results confirm that FSU-migrants suffer from cancers, which may be prevented by prevention programs. Furthermore, we cannot conclude a different health-seeking behavior compared to Germans. © 2009 Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

Author Keywords

Migrants Cancer incidence Germany Cohort study Cancer mortality

Index Keywords

Germany immigrant breast cancer cancer incidence lung cancer prostate cancer Follow-Up Studies register Neoplasms human Health Behavior sex difference middle aged Cohort Studies colorectal cancer controlled study priority journal cancer prevention USSR melanoma Aged pharynx cancer cancer epidemiology Young Adult school child Humans Adolescent male preschool child Aged, 80 and over brain cancer Infant female lip cancer uterus cancer pancreas cancer cancer registry bladder cancer Incidence ovary cancer Article cancer mortality liver cancer leukemia major clinical study adult uterine cervix cancer mouth cancer preventive medicine cohort analysis ethnicity Transients and Migrants cause of death cancer localization mortality stomach cancer Child
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-71349087729&doi=10.1007%2fs10552-009-9381-4&partnerID=40&md5=cfbfffa7d28124dd8435a9536db754d4
DOI: 10.1007/s10552-009-9381-4
ISSN: 09575243
Cited by: 18
Original Language: English