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

Ethnic peculiarities of the North native inhabitants health

Objectives: In previous Nordic studies it has been reported that the overall cancer incidence is lower among the Sami compared to the rest of the population living in the same area. But the relative risk varies among different Sami groups with a lower overall risk among reindeer herders compared to other Sami groups. Diet and lifestyle factors such as physical activity has been suggested to explain these differences together with genetical factors. The objective of this study is to describe the cancer incidence among different Sami groups in Sweden between 1961 and 2003 and to evaluate the effect of risk factors related to Sami lifestyle and heritage.

Study Design: Prospective cohort study

Methods: The study cohort constitutes of a total of 7 482 reindeer herders and 34 239 non-herders from which subgroups with different levels of influence of a traditional Sami life style were genealogically defined. Follow-up was from 1961 to 2003 and standard incidence ratios (SIR) were calculated using a demographically matched control population as the standard of comparison.

Results: Overall lower cancer risk was observed for reindeer herding men compared to the control population while the relative risk for non-herding women was significantly higher. Significantly lower rates of prostate was observed among reindeer herders and higher rates of stomach and ovary was observed among non-herding women.

Conclusions: Protective factors in an active, more traditional life style in combination with genetical factors is suggested to explain the lower cancer rates among reindeer herding men. An assumption of declining protective influence of a traditional life style in different Sami groups is supported by an demographical and genealogical analysis of the constitution of different Sami groups. It is indicated that demographical changes resulting in various levels of integration and/or assimilation should be considered when analysing the health status of the Sami.

Note. Abstracts are published in author's edition

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