Showing papers by "Hannah K. Weir published in 2011"

Melanoma survival in the United States, 1992 to 2005.

Abstract: Background Population-based data on melanoma survival are important for understanding the impact of demographic and clinical factors on prognosis. Objective We describe melanoma survival by age, sex, race/ethnicity, stage, depth, histology, and site. Methods Using Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results data, we calculated unadjusted cause-specific survival up to 10 years from diagnosis for 68,495 first primary cases of melanoma diagnosed from 1992 to 2005. Cox multivariate analysis was performed for 5-year survival. Data from 1992 to 2001 were divided into 3 time periods to compare stage distribution and differences in stage-specific 5-year survival over time. Results Melanomas that had metastasized (distant stage) or were thicker than 4.00 mm had a poor prognosis (5-year survival: 15.7% and 56.6%). The 5-year survival for men was 86.8% and for persons given the diagnosis at age 65 years or older was 83.2%, varying by stage at diagnosis. Scalp/neck melanoma had lower 5-year survival (82.6%) than other anatomic sites; unspecified/overlapping lesions had the least favorable prognosis (41.5%). Nodular and acral lentiginous melanomas had the poorest 5-year survival among histologic subtypes (69.4% and 81.2%, respectively). Survival differences by race/ethnicity were observed in the unadjusted survival, but nonsignificant in the multivariate analysis. Overall 5-year melanoma survival increased from 87.7% to 90.1% for melanomas diagnosed in 1992 through 1995 compared with 1999 through 2001, and this change was not clearly associated with a shift toward localized diagnosis. Limitations Prognostic factors included in revised melanoma staging guidelines were not available for all study years and were not examined. Conclusions Poorer survival from melanoma was observed among those given the diagnosis at late stage and older age. Improvements in survival over time have been minimal. Although newly available therapies may impact survival, prevention and early detection are relevant to melanoma-specific survival.

Melanoma in adolescents and young adults (ages 15-39 years): United States, 1999-2006

Abstract: Background Invasive melanoma of the skin is the third most common cancer diagnosed among adolescents and young adults (aged 15-39 years) in the United States. Understanding the burden of melanoma in this age group is important to identifying areas for etiologic research and in developing effective prevention approaches aimed at reducing melanoma risk. Methods Melanoma incidence data reported from 38 National Program of Cancer Registries and/or Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results statewide cancer registries covering nearly 67.2% of the US population were used to estimate age-adjusted incidence rates for persons 15-39 years of age. Incidence rate ratios were calculated to compare rates between demographic groups. Results Melanoma incidence was higher among females (age-adjusted incidence rates = 9.74; 95% confidence interval 9.62-9.86) compared with males (age-adjusted incidence rates = 5.77; 95% confidence interval 5.68-5.86), increased with age, and was higher in non-Hispanic white compared with Hispanic white and black, American Indians/Alaskan Natives, and Asian and Pacific Islanders populations. Melanoma incidence rates increased with year of diagnosis in females but not males. The majority of melanomas were diagnosed on the trunk in all racial and ethnic groups among males but only in non-Hispanic whites among females. Most melanomas were diagnosed at localized stage, and among those melanomas with known histology, the majority were superficial spreading. Limitations Accuracy of melanoma cases reporting was limited because of some incompleteness (delayed reporting) or nonspecific reporting including large proportion of unspecified histology. Conclusions Differences in incidence rates by anatomic site, histology, and stage among adolescents and young adults by race, ethnicity, and sex suggest that both host characteristics and behaviors influence risk. These data suggest areas for etiologic research around gene-environment interactions and the need for targeted cancer control activities specific to adolescents and young adult populations.

Canadian adolescents and young adults with cancer: opportunity to improve coordination and level of care

Abstract: Cancers in adolescents and young adults (aged 15–29 years) represent a transition between the nonepithelial types, especially acute leukemias and embryonal tumours, that are common during childhood and the epithelial types (i.e., carcinomas) that account for most cancers in older adults. The

Melanoma surveillance in the United States: overview of methods.

Abstract: Background Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. Melanoma skin cancer is particularly deadly; more than 8000 US residents die from it each year. Although recent reports suggest that melanoma incidence rates have been increasing, these apparent increases could be caused by an increase in reporting and/or screening, and by an actual increase in the occurrence of melanoma. Objective In this report, we describe methods used in this supplement to assess the current burden of melanoma in the United States using data from two federal cancer surveillance programs: the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Program of Cancer Registries and the National Cancer Institute (NCI) Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results program. We also provide basic descriptive epidemiologic data about melanoma in the United States. Methods Cancer incidence data from population-based cancer registries that participate in the CDC National Program of Cancer Registries and/or the NCI Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program covering 78% of the US population for 2004 to 2006 were used. Results Over 45 thousand melanomas were diagnosed annually, with a rate of 19 cases per 100,000 persons. Limitations Melanoma rates may vary because of differences in reporting, diagnosis, and screening. Conclusion To our knowledge, the articles in this supplement constitute the first comprehensive examination of the overall burden of melanoma in the United States based on data from a majority of the US population.

Examination of the Increase in Thyroid Cancer Incidence Among Younger Women in the United States by Age, Race, Geography, and Tumor Size, 1999–2007

Abstract: Purpose: Thyroid cancer incidence has been increasing for several decades, but the reasons are not fully understood. Previous surveillance reports have covered less than 26% of the U.S. population. More recent, nationwide data are needed. This study examines thyroid cancer incidence among younger women by age, race/ethnicity, geography, and tumor size. Patients and Methods: Our study uses nationwide surveillance data to describe incidence rates and recent trends in thyroid cancer among adults aged 20–39 years in the United States during 1999–2007, with a focus on females. Results: Incidence rates were more than five times higher among females (16.4 per 100,000; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 16.2–16.6) than among males (3.1 per 100,000; 95% CI: 3.1–3.2). Among females, rates were higher among non-Hispanic whites than among other racial/ethnic groups and higher in the Northeast compared with other regions (p<0.05). During 1999–2007, incidence rates increased 5.3% each year among females (95% CI: 4.7–5.9). T...

Members of the Steering Committee on Cancer Statistics

Abstract: Citation: Material appearing in this publication may be reproduced or copied without permission; however, the following citation must be used to indicate the source: Canadian Cancer Society's Steering Committee on Cancer Statistics. The development of this publication over the years has benefited considerably from the comments and suggestions of readers. The Steering Committee appreciates and welcomes such comments. To be included on the distribution mailing list for next year's publication or to offer ideas on how the publication can be improved, please complete the Evaluation and order form at the back of the publication or e-mail stats@cancer.ca. This publication is also available at www.cancer.ca/statistics. Additional copies may be requested from divisions of the Canadian Cancer Society or by calling the Cancer Information Service at 1 888 939-3333 (see For further information). La version française de cette publication est disponible sur demande. T hinking back 25 years ago to the mid-1980s, readers may find it hard to realize the paucity of readily available cancer statistics in Canada at that time. The National Cancer Incidence Reporting System (NCIRS), established in 1969, was hard-pressed to produce the actual data reported from provincial cancer registries within five years of the reference year. While these highly detailed data were published by Statistics Canada in Cancer in Canada, the national totals lacked information from one large Canadian province. Little wonder that most Canadians in the cancer field quoted current year statistical estimates from the United States. Ironically, the US estimates were based on data from the US Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program, which at the time covered only about 10% of the US population. In contrast, Canada had excellent coverage of cancer registration for the entire population, but the available data were not being used to best advantage. Frustration with the lack of timeliness in reporting actual data was widespread among those responsible for compiling cancer statistics in Canada. Thus, when Dr. Bob MacBeth of the National Cancer Institute of Canada/Canadian Cancer Society (NCIC/CCS) approached Statistics Canada in 1985 with the concept of developing estimates for Canadian data based on the US model, staff at Statistics Canada were keen to get involved. A Steering Committee was formed to give the project scientific and political legitimacy, and it represented an early example of partnership in cancer control, including members from the Alberta Cancer Registry, Health and Welfare Canada, Canadian Cancer Society, Fichier des tumeurs du …