Cancer Incidence Trends Among Women by Race/Ethnicity

Note: The word "significantly" below refers to statistical significance. 2008 is the latest year for which data are available.

All Women

Among all women in the United States from 1999 to 2008, incidence of—

• Breast cancer has decreased significantly by 1.2% per year.
• Cervical cancer has decreased significantly by 2.3% per year.
• Colorectal cancer has decreased significantly by 2.4% per year.
• Lung cancer has remained level.
• Ovarian cancer has decreased significantly by 1.7% per year.
• Melanoma of the skin has increased significantly by 2.5% per year.

White Women

Among white women in the United States from 1999 to 2008, incidence of—

• Breast cancer has decreased significantly by 1.2% per year.
• Cervical cancer has decreased significantly by 2.1% per year.
• Colorectal cancer has decreased significantly by 2.5% per year.
• Lung cancer has remained level.
• Ovarian cancer has decreased significantly by 1.8% per year.
• Melanoma of the skin has increased significantly by 2.6% per year.

Black Women

Among black women in the United States from 1999 to 2008, incidence of—

• Breast cancer has remained level.
• Cervical cancer has decreased significantly by 3.3% per year.
• Colorectal cancer has decreased significantly by 1.8% per year.
• Lung cancer has remained level.
• Ovarian cancer has remained level.
• Melanoma of the skin has remained level.

Hispanic Women

Among Hispanic women in the United States from 1999 to 2008, incidence of—

• Breast cancer has remained level.
• Cervical cancer has decreased significantly by 3.6% per year.
• Colorectal cancer has decreased significantly by 2.2% per year.
• Lung cancer has remained level.
• Ovarian cancer has remained level.
• Melanoma of the skin has remained level.

American Indian/Alaska Native Women

Among American Indian/Alaska Native women in the United States from 1999 to 2008, incidence of—

• Breast cancer has remained level.
• Cervical cancer has remained level.
• Colorectal cancer has remained level.
• Lung cancer has remained level.
• Ovarian cancer has remained level.
• Melanoma of the skin has remained level.

Asian/Pacific Islander Women

Among Asian/Pacific Islander women in the United States from 1999 to 2008, incidence of—

• Breast cancer has remained level.
• Cervical cancer has decreased significantly by 3.0% per year.
• Colorectal cancer has decreased significantly by 1.6% per year.
• Lung cancer has remained level.
• Ovarian cancer has remained level.
• Melanoma of the skin has remained level.

Data source: Eheman C, Henley SJ, Ballard-Barbash R, Jacobs EJ, Schymura MJ, Noone AM, Pan L, Anderson, RN, Fulton JE, Kohler BA, Jemal A, Ward E, Plescia M, Ries LAG, Edwards BK. Annual report to the nation on the status of cancer, 1975–2008, featuring cancers associated with excess weight and lack of sufficient physical activity. Cancer 2012;118(9):2338–2366.

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