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© 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.

Abstract

Simple Summary

This study investigates cancer in migrants in Southern Italy, who represent a neglected but vulnerable population. We used data from the Eastern Sicily Cancer Registry collected between 2004 and 2019 to compare the adjusted proportionate morbidity ratio for the most common cancer types in migrants and non-migrants, and we calculated the odds of migrant status for one cancer compared to all cancers. The migrants/non-migrants odds of cancer was 2.1%, with most cancers occurring in migrant women. We observed increased proportions in cervical and lung cancer, with higher odds of cervical cancer and lower odds of colorectal cancer in migrants. Measures should be implemented to enhance the access of migrants to prevention, early diagnosis and care for cancer. These interventions should account for the migrant’s country of origin. Particular attention should be given to HPV vaccination, cervical cancer screening and tobacco control to reduce the cancer burden in this population.

Abstract

Background: Migrants are a vulnerable and neglected population. We aimed at investigating cancer proportionate rates in migrants in Sicily, Southern Italy. Methods: We extracted data on new cancer cases diagnosed between 2004 and 2019 from the Eastern Sicily cancer registry. We compared the adjusted proportionate morbidity ratio (PMR) for the most common cancer types among migrants and non-migrants. We fitted multivariate logistic regression models comparing one cancer to all other cancers to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for migration status. The analysis was stratified by region of origin. Results: Overall, 4726 new cancer cases occurred in migrants between 2004 and 2019, 63.5% of those among women and 224,211 in non-migrants, including 54.5% among men, with odds for migrants/non-migrants of 2.1%. Migrants had an increased proportion of cervical (PMR = 2.68, 95% CI = 2.29–3.10) and lung cancer (PMR = 1.20, 95% CI = 1.07–1.33). The highest OR in migrants was observed for cervical cancer (OR = 3.54, 95% CI = 2.99–4.20). Colorectal cancer was decreased among migrants (OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.77–0.96). Conclusions: Migrants to Sicily have higher odds of cervical cancer and a decreased risk of colorectal cancer compared to non-migrants. Increased odds were also detected for lung cancer, in particular in women. Different cancer patterns could be observed based on the region of origin. HPV-related cancers need targeted attention in migrants living in Sicily.

Details

Title
Cancer in Migrants: A Population-Based Study in Italy
Author
Collatuzzo, Giulia 1   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Ferrante, Margherita 2 ; Ippolito, Antonella 3 ; Alessia Di Prima 3 ; Colarossi, Cristina 4   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Scarpulla, Salvatore 4 ; Boffetta, Paolo 5   VIAFID ORCID Logo  ; Sciacca, Salvatore 4 

 Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy; [email protected] 
 Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies “G.F. Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; Integrated Cancer Registry of Catania-Messina-Siracusa-Enna, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy 
 Integrated Cancer Registry of Catania-Messina-Siracusa-Enna, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy 
 Mediterranean Institute of Oncology (IOM), 95029 Catania, Italy 
 Integrated Cancer Registry of Catania-Messina-Siracusa-Enna, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; Stony Brook Cancer Center, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA; Department of Family, Population and Preventive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY 11794, USA 
First page
3103
Publication year
2023
Publication date
2023
Publisher
MDPI AG
e-ISSN
20726694
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2829780760
Copyright
© 2023 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.