Women's cancers among Alaska Natives 1969-2003.

Introduction: Alaska Native people include multiple, diverse ethnic groups whose ancestors occupied what is now the state of Alaska. Cancer incidence rates among Alaska Native women for breast, cervix, uterus and ovary are presented here. Current rates and trends over time are compared with US White rates.

Objective: To describe cancer incidence patterns for cancer of the breast, cervix, uterus and ovary among Alaska Native women.

Methods: Cancer incidence data for Alaska Natives are from the Alaska Native Tumor Registry, in Anchorage, Alaska. Incidence rates for US Whites are from the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program.

Results: Breast and cervical cancer incidence rates among Alaska Natives are similar to US White rates, whereas rates for cancer of the uterus and ovary are significantly less than those of US Whites. Thirty-five year trends show increasing rates in breast cancer and decreasing rates of cervical cancer.

Conclusion: The burden of cancer among Alaska Native women for cancers unique to women is significant. Increasing breast cancer rates among Alaska Natives has greatly contributed to this burden.