Using a socioeconomic position index to assess disparities in cancer incidence and mortality, Puerto Rico, 1995-2004.

Introduction: Evaluation of the extent of socioeconomic inequalities in cancer incidence and mortality is essential to generate hypotheses in population health research and provides evidence for population-based strategies for comprehensive cancer control. The objective of this study was to create an area-based socioeconomic position (SEP) index to assess possible socioeconomic disparities in incidence and mortality of selected cancers in Puerto Rico.

Methods: Data for cancer incidence and mortality from 1995 to 2004 were obtained from the Puerto Rico Central Cancer Registry and the Puerto Rico Department of Health, and Puerto Rico socioeconomic data were obtained from the US Census 2000.

Incidence trends of cervical cancer in Puerto Rico, 1987-2004.

Objective: Cervical cancer was the leading malignancy among women in Puerto Rico when the Central Cancer Registry was first established by law in 1950. The screening program for cervical cancer in PR was initiated in 1961 when cytological laboratories were established in regional hospitals throughout the island, reaching its peak in 1973. In 2004, invasive cervical cancer ranked fifth among the top cancers in women in PR, representing 4% of all newly diagnosed cancers and 2% of all cancer-related deaths among women.

Incidence and mortality of the leading cancer types in Puerto Rico: 1987-2004.

Background: Cancer remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is the second cause of death in Puerto Rico (PR). This article describes the incidence and the mortality from cancer in PR for the period of 1987 to 2004.

Methods: We analyzed data from the PR Central Cancer Registry and the PR Demographic Registry from 1987-2004, for the leading cancer types in men and women in PR.

Risk of cancer among Hispanics with AIDS compared with the general population in Puerto Rico: 1987-2003.

Background: The risk of cancer among Hispanics with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) in the United States and Puerto Rico (PR) has not been well described. The purpose of this study was to determine the risk of AIDS related and non-AIDS related cancers among Hispanics with AIDS in PR.

Methods: A probabilistic record linkage of the PR AIDS Surveillance Program and PR Central Cancer Registry databases was conducted.

Productivity loss in Puerto Rico's labor market due to cancer mortality.

Background: In Puerto Rico (PR), cancer is the second leading cause of death and the disease that causes most premature deaths, representing about 15% of them. Thus, premature death due to cancer decreases the productivity capacity in PR.

Objective: This study aimed to estimate the labor-market productivity loss in PR during 2004 as a result of premature mortality due to overall cancer and cause-specific cancers.

Cancer disparities between mainland and island Puerto Ricans.

Objectives: Examination of cancer rates in a single Hispanic subgroup-Puerto Ricans- and comparison of incidence rates among mainland Puerto Ricans living in the United States, island Puerto Ricans in Puerto Rico, and U.S. non-Hispanic whites to reveal ethnic-specific cancer patterns and disparities in Puerto Ricans.

Incidence and mortality rates for colorectal cancer in Puerto Rico and among Hispanics, non-Hispanic whites, and non-Hispanic blacks in the United States, 1998-2002.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Puerto Rico (PR). In the United States, the incidence and mortality rates of CRC have great variation by sex and race/ethnicity. Age-standardized incidence and mortality rates of CRC in PR were assessed and compared with the rates among US Hispanics (USH), non-Hispanic whites (NHW), and non-Hispanic blacks (NHB) in the United States for the period from 1998 through 2002.