International Union for Circumpolar Health Ministry of Public Health and Social Development of RF Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences Medical Polar Fund “Science” The Northern Forum

Abstracts

Northern Epidemiology

OBJECTIVES: The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) varies a lot throughout the world. It is a rare disease in Africa and South America among others, while Western Europe and North America is high incidence areas. Until recently the diet in Greenland was very different from the diet in Western Europe, and genetically the two populations are different. A low incidence of CRC in Greenland could be expected.

STUDY DESIGN: The incidence and the clinical features of CRC in Greenland were compared to a Danish material.

METHOD: Data on all cases of CRC in Greenland were collected through the years 2000 – 2004. The results were compared to data from The Danish Colorectal Cancer Database, Annual report 2003.

RESULTS: A total of 107 persons had CRC diagnosed in the 5 year period. The median age at diagnosis was 63 years in Greenland, against 70 in Denmark. The observed incidence in Greenland was 38 cases per 100.000 person years, against 58 in Denmark. The localisation of the tumours were the same in Greenland and Denmark, about one third in the right colon, one third in the left colon and one third in rectum. The tumour stage at diagnosis in the Greenlandic series were 13 percent Dukes A, 36 percent Dukes B, 25 percent Dukes C. Fifteen percent had disseminated disease and in 11 percent the stage were unknown. The figures did not differ from the Danish series. In Greenland the observed 5-year survival was 48 percent for operated patients.

The difference in age distribution and incidence is caused by different age distributions in the Greenlandic and the Danish populations. In Greenland only 7 percent of the population is older than 60 years. After age-adjustment to a world standard population (SEER) the incidence of CRC in Greenland were 44 per 100.000 person years, against 30 in Denmark (NS).

CONCLUSION: There was no difference in epidemiology or clinical features for CRC in Greenland, compared to Denmark. Greenland is a high incidence area, like Western Europe and North America.

Note. Abstracts are published in author's edition

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Last update: 06-Jul-2012 (11:52:05)