Cancer Incidence and Mortality Estimates in Arab Countries in 2018: A GLOBOCAN Data Analysis
Background
Arab countries are projecting increase in cancer incidence and mortality; however, there are limited studies that compare the epidemiology of cancer in Arab countries compared with other parts of the world.
Methods
We used the 2018 Global Cancer Observatory data to compare the age-standardized incidence and mortality estimates in Arab-speaking countries to the rest of the world.
Results
Rates for incidence and mortality for all cancers in Arab countries were lower than the world's rates but the incidence rates of non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma, bladder, breast, and liver cancers were higher. Arab countries generally had higher mortality-to-incidence ratio than the world's ratio. Incidence rates, even in age-specific groups, varied between subregions of Arab countries (the Levant, Arabian Gulf, and Arab African subregions), and Iraq and Egypt, suggesting some common and unique environmental factors and possible ethnic or genetic heritages.
Conclusions
There are essential scopes for improvements in Arab countries including better treatments to reduce the high mortality-to-incidence ratio, and supporting vaccination programs and antiviral treatments that would prevent the prevalent viral infection–related cancers. The high incidence of several cancers in younger Arabs suggests genetic factors and underlines the importance of genetic epidemiology studies.
Impact
This study is an essential reference to evaluate and monitor the progress of national cancer initiatives in Arab countries for surveillance and prevention programs and improving clinical management. The study also provides a comprehensive snapshot of cancers in a unique region that could shed light on the interplay of environmental, lifestyle, and genetic risk factors.
Other Information
Published in: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
See article on publisher's website: https://dx.doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.epi-23-0520
Funding
Qatar Biomedical Research Institute (IGP5).
History
Language
- English
Publisher
American Association for Cancer ResearchPublication Year
- 2023
License statement
This Item is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.Institution affiliated with
- Hamad Bin Khalifa University
- Qatar Biomedical Research Institute - HBKU