Background: Few studies have examined epidemiological differences between ethnic groups for children and young adults with cancer.
Methods: Subjects aged 0-29 years, diagnosed between 1990 and 2005 in the former Yorkshire Regional Health Authority, were included in the analysis. Ethnicity (south Asian or not) was assigned using name analysis program and Hospital Episode Statistics data. Differences in incidence (per 1,000,000 person-years) rates and trends were analysed using joinpoint and Poisson regression analysis.
Results: Overall cancer incidence was similar for south Asians (12.1, 95% CI: 10.7-13.5; n=275) and non-south Asians (12.6, 95% CI: 12.2-13.1; n=3259). Annual incidence rates increased significantly by 1.9% per year on average (95% CI: 1.2-2.6%), especially for south Asians (7.0%; 95% CI: 4.2-9.9%).
Conclusion: If present trends continue, the higher rate of increase seen among south Asians aged 0-29 years in Yorkshire will result in three times higher cancer incidence than non-south Asians by 2020.