Similarities and disparities in cancer burden among Arab world females

Gulf J Oncolog. 2021 May;1(36):36-41.

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer is the leading cause of increased morbidity and mortality worldwide. This work aims to study the Arab-world females' cancers (AFCs), the similarities and disparities from epidemiological, economic and development-indices points of view.

Materials and methods: Descriptive - Analytical review of the 2018 Global Cancer Observatory concerning AFCs. Data on various cancers were compiled and compared among the countries in the regions and the world females' cancers (WFCs).

Results: A total estimate of 227,494 new AFCs; 2.64% of WFCs, with an average crude incidence rate of 111.7* and an age-standardized rate of 134.5*, compared to 228* and 182.6* of WFCs, respectively. Death cases estimated to be 122,903; 2.95% of WFCs, with an average crude mortality rate of 60.3* and age-standardizedrate of 75.4*, compared to 110.2* and 83.1* of WFCs, respectively. Five-year prevalent cases were 530,735; 2.33% of WFCs, with an average proportion of 260.5*, compared to 603.5* of WFCs. Mortality to Incidence Ratio was 0.54 (range 0.36 - 0.80), compared to 0.58, 0.52, 0.49 in the medium human development index, upper-middle-income countries and world countries, respectively. */100,000 population.

Conclusions: Despite the demographic and cultural similarities among the Arab communities, there are apparent disparities in AFCs. A systematic approach is required to address these remarkable differences in cancer ranking and rates among Arab countries themselves and when compared to other world groups and nations.

Keywords: Cancer Arab-world Females..

MeSH terms

  • Arab World*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Middle East / epidemiology
  • Neoplasms* / epidemiology