Epidemiologic profile of endometrial cancer in Puerto Rico: 1987-2003 Free

A87

Background: Endometrial cancer is among the most common female malignancies in Puerto Rico and world-wide. This study describes the age-adjusted incidence and mortality rates (per 100,000) of endometrial cancer in Puerto Rico overall and by age. In addition, the relative survival and lifetime risk of endometrial cancer in Puerto Rico were compared with other race/ethnic groups in the United States (Whites, Blacks and Hispanics). Methods: Population-based data from the Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry and the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) were analyzed from 1987-2003; using the programs SEER*Stat 6.3.5, DevCan 6.2.1 and Joinpoint Regression 3.0. Results: From 1987-2003, the age-adjusted incidence rates of endometrial cancer increased [annual percent change (APC) =+1.7%], while the age-adjusted mortality rates decreased (APC=-2.5%) for Puerto Rico. In this population, women aged 20-34 years (APC=+7.5%) and 35-49 years (APC=+4.2%) showed the fastest increase in incidence (p<0.05). Lower 5-year relative survival was observed in Puerto Rico (53.1%) as compared with Whites (88.5%), Hispanics (85.1%) and Blacks (66.6%) in the US. Although Puerto Ricans had the lowest risk of developing (1.4 %) and dying (0.5%) from endometrial cancer (1999-2003), the risk of development in this population increased from 1 in 95 (1989-1993) to 1 in 74 (1999-2003). Conclusions: Increases in the incidence and probability of developing endometrial cancer suggest changes in the occurrence of risk factors in the Puerto Rican population. Assessment of disease characteristics, access to diagnosis and treatment options and response to treatment in this population is required to understand the observed decreases in mortality and reduced survival in Puerto Rico.