Racial or Ethnic Variations

Note: The numbers in parentheses are the rates per 100,000 persons. Incidence counts cover approximately 96% of the U.S. population. Death counts cover 100% of the U.S. population.

All cancers combined, men:

• Incidence rates are highest among blacks (611.0), followed by whites (530.9), Hispanics (421.1), Asians/Pacific Islanders (329.3), and American Indians/Alaska Natives (307.4).
• Death rates are highest among blacks (311.4), followed by whites (230.6), Hispanics (158.1), American Indians/Alaska Natives (142.3), and Asians/Pacific Islanders (138.4).

All cancers combined, women:

• Incidence rates are highest among whites (406.7), followed by blacks (379.1), Hispanics (316.8), Asians/Pacific Islanders (263.9), and American Indians/Alaska Natives (247.7).
• Death rates are highest among blacks (188.2), followed by whites (159.7), American Indians/Alaska Natives (106.8), Hispanics (106.3), and Asians/Pacific Islanders (97.3).

Among the five races and ethnicities presented:

• American Indian/Alaska Native men have the lowest cancer incidence rates; however, Asian/Pacific Islander men have the lowest cancer death rates.
• White women have the highest cancer incidence rates; however, black women have the highest cancer death rates.
• American Indian/Alaska Native women have the lowest cancer incidence rates and the third highest cancer death rates.

*Race- or ethnic-specific rates are presented for all cancer sites combined.

Source: U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 2003 Incidence and Mortality. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2007.