Cancer incidence and survival patterns among Chinese immigrants in the United States.

Abstract

The combination of ethnicity and birthplace was used to identify first and second generation Chinese immigrants and US born white Americans. Cancer incident cases for three comparison groups were obtained. Population counts for each study group were extracted from The Integrated Public Use Microdata Series (IPUMS-98). Direct Age-standardized incidence rates (ASIRs) were calculated using the "world population" as a standard. ASIRs were compared among first, second generation Chinese immigrants and US born white Americans for nasopharyngeal, esophageal, stomach, liver, colon, rectum, lung, female breast and prostate cancers. Observed, relative and cause-specific survival rates were calculated for the three study groups. The advantages and disadvantages of the three survival rates were compared. Cause-specific survival rates for female breast, prostate, colorectal, and lung cancer were compared among first and second generation Chinese immigrants and US born white Americans. Multivariate survival analysis was conducted using Cox proportional hazard model. Other prognostic factors, such as stage at diagnosis, age, gender, and had or did not have directed surgery during first therapy, SEER registry, and marital status, were examined. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)