Table 7 presents limited information relevant to the diagnosis of the cancers in the Comparison group, but ail 8 cases have been described in greater detaii in this or earlier BNL reports. the present time thereis no evidence of residual disease in either of the thyroid cancer patients. 5. Table lists only deaths that might have been related to cancer. There have been twocases of thyroid cancer that have been diagnosed. The 6. In attempting to determine whether there has been an increase in cancer deaths in either the exposed or Comparison population one should note a Radiation Effects Research Foundation report on the Japanese exposedto atomic bombing. From 1950 to 1985. there had been 5936 cancer deaths among 75991 personsin the LSS (Life Span Study) cohort. Three hundred and fortv of the cancer deaths (6% of the total cancer deaths) are thought to be attributable to the 1945 radiation exposure (Preston and Pierce, 1988). The small size of the exposed and Comparison Marshallese groups. the smaller number of cancer deaths, and naturally occurring fluctuations in disease incidence will make thvroid cancers, discussed elsewhere in this statistical detection of any excess cancer mor- 3. The most frequent lethal cancers in the United States are jung, breast. colon and leukemia. lymphoma. 4. Areas where heaith careis limited often have increased mortality from noncancerousdisease. and an increase in cancer incidence has been viewed as evidence of improved overall health of some populations because it reflects improvements in longevity. report, have not been a cause of death. and at tality impossible in these populations. TABLE 7: POSSIBLE CANCER DEATHS IN THE RONGELAP EXPOSED AND COMPARISON (UNEXPOSED) POPULATION ID# Year of Death Age at Death A. COMPARISON GROUP 842 1986 61 Years on Rongelap* Cancer Type , Confirmation 2 ? Hepatoma Not available 846 1986 63 4 Leukemia Yes 861 1960 68 2 Cervix No. Normal! pelvic exam in 3/59. 389 1980 55 2 Breast Yes 975 1985 65 2 ° Lymphoma “Atypical lymphoepithelicid proliferation” 1005 1984 51 2 Lung Yes (Smoker) 1050 1985 50 20°* ? Colon No 1571 1982 28 or** Astrocytoma Yes 2 Ovary Yes B. RONGELAP EXPOSED 62 1959 60 30 1962 60 5 Cervix No 13 1966 71 9 Uterus No 34 1972 19 7 Leukemia Yes 68 1974 64 16 Stomach Yes * Years of residence on Rongelap after rehabitation of Rongelap island in 1957, as recorded in the medical records of the Marshall Isiand Medical Program or from personal history. ** Added to Comparison group in 1964: did not live on Rongelap between 1957 and 1964 "** Added to Comparison group in 1976: residence prior to 1976 is not recorded. S004 119