Occurrence of esophageal and gastric cancer in Alaska Natives, 1969-2003.

BACKGROUND: Early reports of esophageal and gastric cancer in American Indians/Alaska Natives documented high rates. METHODS: Esophageal and gastric cancers in Alaska Natives were reviewed for 1969-2003 using the Alaska Native Tumor Registry database. Alaska Native incidence rates were age-adjusted and compared to rates of several US populations. RESULTS: The incidence of esophageal and gastric cancer has remained relatively stable during the 35-year period. Gastric cancer is higher than that seen in US Whites, Blacks and American Indians of New Mexico and similar US Asian/Pacific Islanders. Esophageal cancer incidence is higher than US Whites, Asian/Pacific Islanders and American Indians of New Mexico but similar to US Blacks. CONCLUSION: The rates of esophageal and gastric cancer in the Alaska Native population have remained high over 35 years. While the rate of gastric cancer has declined among US Whites, a similar decline has not been seen in Alaska Natives.