SOUTH ASIAN CANCER RATES RISE
(Tuesday July 1, 2003)

A worrying rise in cancer rates among South Asian* people in the UK is revealed in a paper published in today's British Journal of Cancer**. Results of the study, which was carried out in Leicester, show a jump in the number of cases of cancer in South Asians over a decade. The men's rate increased by 28 per cent and the women's rate climbed by 24 per cent.

This compares to an overall drop in the rates in Leicester's non-South Asians. This increase in cancer risk is set to continue, as it is the younger generation of South Asians experiencing the most marked rise in number of cancer cases.

Researchers at Leicester University, Leicester Royal Infirmary and the Trent Cancer Registry carried out the study of cancer in Leicester's South Asian population. They looked at data from the 1990s, comparing the number of cancer cases from the first half of the decade with the second. 12,128 cancer cases were identified - 862 were classified as occurring in South Asians (7 per cent). The cases were reported between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 1999. Twenty tow per cent of the residents of Leicester classify themselves as South Asian according to the 1991 census.

Historically, the UK's South Asian population has had fewer cases of cancer than the general population. This study shows that South Asian rates are quickly catching up to those seen in the rest of the UK. The research also showed a clear age difference. Older South Asians had much lower rates of cancer than the general population - rates in South Asian males aged 50-74 are 45 per cent lower than non-South Asians of the same age. However rates in younger South Asians were similar to non-South Asians of the same age.

Dr Lucy Smith of the research team says: "Generally rates of cancer are lower for South Asians. Our research shows however that this may not be true for younger South Asians as that cancer risk is beginning to resemble that of the general population. This increase in cancer risk may be due to a change in lifestyle."

This lifestyle change is most likely due to younger South Asians growing up with, and adopting, western lifestyles - for example less fresh vegetables and more high fat processed foods. The increase in levels of lung and prostate cancer in men and breast and colorectal cancer in women are striking. These have traditionally been much lower than the UK national average.

However the study also shows that rates of head and neck cancer have fallen in the younger South Asian male population. There has traditionally been a high incidence of head and neck cancers among South Asians. This has been linked with the practice of chewing tobacco - a habit less popular among younger South Asians in the UK.

Dr Lesley Walker, Director of Cancer Information for Cancer Research UK, owners of the British Journal of Cancer, says: "All communities need to have suitable access to cancer services. As cancer emerges as an important health issue for South Asians it is important that they have access to information about cancer, including methods of prevention through lifestyle and diet, and how to spot symptoms early."

*South Asian defined as Indian, Pakistani or Bangladeshi ** BJC, Vol. 89(1)

LUNG CANCER

Symptoms can be

• Having a cough most of the time
• A change in a cough you have had for a long time
• Being short of breath
• Coughing up phlegm (sputum) with signs of blood in it
• An ache or pain when breathing or coughing
• Loss of appetite
• Losing weight
• Less common symptoms: hoarse voice; difficulty swallowing; swelling in the face or neck; shortness of breath.

BREAST CANCER

Four out of five cases occur after the age of 50. Women should attend breast screening appointments and try to be 'breast aware' and follow the five point code:

1. Know what is normal for you
2. Look at and feel your breast
3. Know what changes to look for
4. Report any changes without delay
5. Go for breast screening if you are 50 or over

Changes to look for:

• Changes in the size, shape or feel of your breasts
• A new lump or thickening in one breast or armpit
• Any puckering, dimpling or redness of the skin
• Changes in the position of the nipple, a rash or nipple discharge
• Pain or discomfort that is new to you and felt only on one side.

BOWEL CANCER

Bowel (also known as colorectal) cancer is rare in people under 40.
Symptoms can be:

• Blood or mucus in the stools
• Lasting change in normal bowel habits (diarrhoea or constipation)
• Losing weight
• Pain in the abdomen or rectum (back passage)
• Straining feeling in the rectum

PROSTATE CANCER

Prostate cancer is rare in men under 50 and 90 per cent of cases are in men over 60. Symptoms can be:

• Difficulty or pain in passing urine
• Passing urine more often than usual, especially at night
• Starting and stopping while urinating
• Dribbling of urine
• A feeling of not having emptied the bladder fully

Visit the website CancerHelp UK (www.cancerhelp.org.uk) for clear, easy to understand information about cancer and cancer treatments. Leaflets on Lifestyle and cancer can be requested from 020 7061 8333, or by sending a stamp-addressed envelope to: Cancer Information Publications, Cancer Research UK, PO Box 123, London. WC2A 3PX.

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