Changing patterns of immigration is changing patterns of cancer
By Albert Smith | Wed, 11/19/2008 - 23:55
According to researchers who reviewed the latest Canadian cancer statistics, doctors should consider the possibility of cancer in young people and be particularly vigilant about thyroid and liver cancers.
Cancer Care Ontario’s Loraine Marrett and her colleagues reviewed the 2008 edition of Canadian Cancer Statistics and the results of their review are published in the online issue of the Canadian Medical Association Journal on Monday.
The researchers wrote that it is becomingly important to be vigilant about cancer in women, especially those under the age group of 20-59 years. Early detection of cancer through regular screening, along with effective treatment, might be helpful in reducing the severity of the disease and mortality from cancers such as colorectal, cervical, and prostate and breast.
Thyroid cancer is one of the few cancers that occurs frequently in women than in men, at a ration of almost four to one, said the researcher. It is also one of the most common cancer in young women.
The relatively low but increasing rates of liver cancer and mortality for that type of cancer, especially among men, are likely to be due to occurrence of hepatitis B and C infections, said the researchers.
The author of the study wrote that this may be because of changing patterns of immigration, whereby an increasing proportion of the population was born in countries where hepatitis B is prevalent or where exposure to liver toxins such as aflatoxin are very common.
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