Racial or Ethnic Variations

Note: The numbers in parentheses are the rates per 100,000 people in the United States.

All Cancers Combined, Men

• In 2008, incidence rates were highest among black men (599.2), followed by white (523.6), Hispanic* (404.2), Asian/Pacific Islander (314.1), and American Indian/Alaska Native (293.0) men.
• In 2008, death rates were highest among black men (280.1), followed by white (213.3), American Indian/Alaska Native (147.0), Hispanic* (143.5), and Asian/Pacific Islander (131.9) men.

All Cancers Combined, Women

• In 2008, incidence rates were highest among white women (412.9), followed by black (388.8), Hispanic* (330.1), Asian/Pacific Islander (285.1), and American Indian/Alaska Native (256.2) women.
• In 2008, death rates were highest among black women (171.0), followed by white (148.2), American Indian/Alaska Native (104.4), Hispanic* (98.4), and Asian/Pacific Islander (92.3) women.

Among Four Races and Hispanic Origin

• American Indian/Alaska Native men have the lowest incidence rates of cancer; however, Asian/Pacific Islander men have the lowest death rates from cancer.
• White women have the highest incidence rates of cancer; however, black women have the highest death rates from cancer.
• American Indian/Alaska Native women have the lowest incidence rates of cancer and the third-highest cancer death rates.

Note: Race- or ethnicity-specific rates are presented for all cancer sites combined.

Source: U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2008 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2012. Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/uscs. (full site)

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