Epidemiologic cancer research programs of the Cancer Center of Hawaii.

Ongoing epidemiologic cancer research programs are described. These programs were developed by the Epidemiology and Demography Unit, Cancer Center of Hawaii, established in July 1974. During the 15-month period prior to the Pacific Basin Conference, many epidemiologic projects were initiated. Major descriptive, epidemiologic studies were undertaken: a) cancer mortality among the Japanese in Hawaii, adjusted by prefecture-of-origin; b) time trend of mortality rates for 80 causes between 1910--70; c) evaluation of race classification in Hawaii; d) survival analysis; and e) increased lung cancer rates among Japanese migrants in relation to smoking. Major analytic, epidemiologic studies were as follows: a) an international case-control study on breast cancer in relation to diet and exogenous estrogens; b) association between height and weight and various types of cancer; c) a follow-up study of about 9,000 shipyard workers exposed to asbestos; d) an epidemiologic survey on a 2- to 3-% sample population of Hawaii; and e) a follow-up study on leprosy patients in relation to their risks for cancer.