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Cancer Incidence Trends Among Women by Race/Ethnicity

Note: The word “significantly” below refers to statistical significance. 2012 is the latest year for which data are available.

All Women

Among all women in the United States from 2003 to 2012, the incidence rate of—

  • Breast cancer remained level.
  • Cervical cancer decreased significantly by 1.3% per year.
  • Colorectal cancer decreased significantly by 3.2% per year.
  • Lung cancer decreased significantly by 0.9% per year.
  • Ovarian cancer decreased significantly by 2.0% per year.
  • Melanoma of the skin increased significantly by 1.4% per year.

White Women

Among white women in the United States from 2003 to 2012, the incidence rate of—

  • Breast cancer remained level.
  • Cervical cancer decreased significantly by 1.1% per year.
  • Colorectal cancer decreased significantly by 3.2% per year.
  • Lung cancer decreased significantly by 0.9% per year.
  • Ovarian cancer decreased significantly by 2.1% per year.
  • Melanoma of the skin increased significantly by 1.5% per year.

Black Women

Among black women in the United States from 2003 to 2012, the incidence rate of—

  • Breast cancer increased significantly by 0.8% per year.
  • Cervical cancer decreased significantly by 2.3% per year.
  • Colorectal cancer decreased significantly by 3.6% per year.
  • Lung cancer decreased significantly by 1.0% per year.
  • Ovarian cancer decreased significantly by 1.3% per year.
  • Melanoma of the skin remained level.

Hispanic Women

Among Hispanic women in the United States from 2003 to 2012, the incidence rate of—

  • Breast cancer remained level.
  • Cervical cancer decreased significantly by 3.9% per year.
  • Colorectal cancer decreased significantly by 2.8% per year.
  • Lung cancer decreased significantly by 1.3% per year.
  • Ovarian cancer decreased significantly by 2.1% per year.
  • Melanoma of the skin decreased significantly by 1.7% per year.

American Indian/Alaska Native Women

Among American Indian/Alaska Native women in the United States from 2003 to 2012, the incidence rate of—

  • Breast cancer remained level.
  • Cervical cancer remained level.
  • Colorectal cancer decreased significantly by 2.3% per year.
  • Lung cancer remained level.
  • Ovarian cancer remained level.
  • Melanoma of the skin remained level.

Asian/Pacific Islander Women

Among Asian/Pacific Islander women in the United States from 2003 to 2012, the incidence rate of—

  • Breast cancer increased significantly by 1.1% per year.
  • Cervical cancer decreased significantly by 3.0% per year.
  • Colorectal cancer decreased significantly by 2.6% per year.
  • Lung cancer remained level.
  • Ovarian cancer decreased significantly by 0.9% per year.
  • Melanoma of the skin remained level.

Data source: Ryerson AB, Eheman CR, Altekruse SF, Ward JW, Jemal A, Sherman RL, Henley SJ, Holtzman D, Lake A, Noone AM, Anderson RN, Ma J, Ly KN, Cronin KA, Penberthy L, Kohler BA. Annual report to the nation on the status of cancer, 1975–2012, featuring the increasing incidence of liver cancer Cancer 2016;122(9):10.1002/cncr.29936.

Note: Hispanic origin is not mutually exclusive from race categories (white, black, Asian/Pacific Islander, American Indian/Alaska Native).

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