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 2009, incidence rates were highest among black men (593.7), followed by white (513.0), Hispanic* (395.2), Asian/Pacific Islander (309.6), and American Indian/Alaska Native (294.8) men.
• In 2009, death rates were highest among black men (274.7), followed by white (209.8), Hispanic* (140.3), American Indian/Alaska Native (130.0), and Asian/Pacific Islander (129.5) men.

All Cancers Combined, Women

• In 2009, incidence rates were highest among white women (418.2), followed by black (393.4), Hispanic* (327.9), Asian/Pacific Islander (283.5), and American Indian/Alaska Native (258.3) women.
• In 2009, death rates were highest among black women (168.2), followed by white (146.5), American Indian/Alaska Native (102.3), Hispanic* (97.9), and Asian/Pacific Islander (90.1) 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: 1999–2009 Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report. Atlanta (GA): Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2013. 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).