Trends in cancer mortality among migrants in England and Wales, 1979–2003

Harding, S., Rosato, M. and Teyhan, A. (2009) Trends in cancer mortality among migrants in England and Wales, 1979–2003. European Journal of Cancer, 45(12), pp. 2168-2179. (doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2009.02.029)

Full text not currently available from Enlighten.

Abstract

Aim To examine trends in cancer mortality for migrants living in England and Wales. Method The Office for National Statistics provided anonymised death records for 1979–1983, 1989–1993 and 1999–2003, and tabulated population data from the 1981, 1991 and 2001 censuses for England and Wales. Age-adjusted rates and rate ratios for 16 cancer sites were derived by country of birth and time period. Results Compared with the declines for those born in England and Wales, smaller or non-significant declines in groups with historically low mortality lead to a pattern of convergence of rates towards those for England and Wales (e.g. breast cancer among women from the Caribbean or East Africa). However, for migrant groups with historically higher rates this had the effect of either maintaining or widening relative mortality (e.g. lung cancer among men from Republic of Ireland or Jamaica). Higher mortality among the Scots and Irish persisted for a range of cancers. Conclusion In spite of general declines in cancer death rates, inequalities in migrant mortality remain. There is an urgent need for prevention and treatment programmes to maximise coverage across all minority groups.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Harding, Professor Seeromanie
Authors: Harding, S., Rosato, M., and Teyhan, A.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU
Journal Name:European Journal of Cancer
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:0959-8049
ISSN (Online):1879-0852

University Staff: Request a correction | Enlighten Editors: Update this record