Cancer Incidence in Kerman Province, Southeast of Iran: Report of an ongoing Population-Based Cancer Registry, 2014-16

Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of common cancers in Kerman province, southeast of Iran, based upon results of Kerman Population-Based Cancer Registry Program (KPBCR).Methods: in this retrospective study, all patients diagnosed with primary cancers and registered with the KPBCR were included. New cancer cases registered from 2014-16 were identified from pathological labs, medical reports of 48 health facilities providing cancer diagnosis or treatment services and national death registry program. Data of patients, who referred to neighbor provinces for accessing health services, was also collected from national referral registries. Data from autopsies was also extracted from the regional forensic and legal medicine centers and added to the registry periodically. The age standardized incidence rates (ASRs) per 100,000 persons- years for all cancers were computed, using direct-standardization and CanReg methodology. Results: a total of 12,367 cases of cancer were registered in Kerman province 2014-16. Of these 45.9% were women (n=5,680). Individuals aged over 60 years represented the largest proportion (46.4%) of the total cancer prevalence, followed by patients aged 46-59 years (28.7%) and 31-45 years (15.3%) as the other largest groups of cancer cases. The Age-Standardized Rates (ASRs per 100,000) for all cancers were 202.62 per 100,000 and 162.02 per 100,000, in men and women respectively. In women, breast (ASR: 40.20), thyroid (ASR: 12.42), and colorectal (ASR: 10.80) were the most common cancers. In men, Bladder (ASR: 27.94), Lung (ASR: 19.71), and Stomach (ASR: 16.3) were reported as the top common cancers. Conclusion: this study provided the latest evidence on epidemiology of cancer in southeast of Iran that could be used to empower prevention and control interventions in a developing country.

Keywords:

Cancer , incidence , Kerman