This study compared cancer mortality among the Seneca Nation of Indians (SNI) between 1955 and 1984 with cancer patterns exhibited by the general population of New York State (NYS), exclusive of New York City. Cancer mortality among the SNI was compared with cancer mortality in NYS using age and sex standardized mortality ratios (SMR). Deficits in overall cancer mortality were noted among both SNI males (SMR = 78) and females (SMR = 73). Results from this investigation will contribute to the understanding of patterns of malignant disease mortality among native peoples and may be of benefit for monitoring the impact of cancer mortality among the SNI and other Native American groups.
Cancer 64:187-190. 1989.
ANCER-RELATED MORTALITY has been generally
C well documented through studies conducted among the general populations of various areas. Unfortunately, deviations in cancer mortality among specific subgroups may be overlooked due to masking of these differences within the more homogeneous general population. It therefore becomes important to consider patterns of cancer mortality among defined racial and ethnic groups.
Studies of cancer mortality in Native American populations have suggested disease patterns that differ from the general population. Mortality deficits have been noted among Native males for deaths due to all cancer sites combined,'-5 as well as for deaths due to malignancies of the r e ~t u m , ~. ~ p a n ~r e a s , ~, ~ lung,'-6 and prostate,2*4*' and for lymphoma^^.^ and leukemias.234 While a group of Native males in the United States (U. S.) has demonstrated a deficit of kidney cancer deaths,' other studies have reported an excess of deaths due to this Excess mortality has also been observed among Native American males for gallbladder ~a n c e r . ~. ~ Deficits in overall cancer mortality have also been reported among Native fern ale^.^*^*^ Only one investigation has suggested excess mortality for all cancer sites combined From the Departments of