OUTCOME OF CANCER REGISTRATION IN BASRAH IN FOUR YEARS (2005-2008)

BY: Basrah Cancer Research Group (BCRG)

Participating Researchers:

Omran S. Habib¹, Jasim MA AL-Diab², Anmar A Mohsin³, Wasan MJ Al-Elwe⁴ , Janan G Hasan⁵, Susan S. Al-Haroon⁶ & Kareem A Al-Emara⁶

ABSTRACT

Background: This paper reports a profile on the outcome of the population based cancer registration in Basrah over a period of four years (2005-2008).

During these four years, extensive work was done to create culture of scientific approach to cancer, to enhance adequate cancer registration and subsequently to quantify the risk of cancer and enhance actions for its control within a national strategy.

Objectives: To describe the extent of cancer registered in Basrah in four-year period 2005-2008.

Methods: At the present time cases which are diagnosed and/ or treated at any of the major hospitals in Basrah are reported to the Cancer Control Centre.

Additional cases are also notified from the Cancer Registration Section at the department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Basrah and from selected private laboratories.

These data are used in this paper to present a profile on the state-of-the-art. Data on all reported cases were re-fed on an excel programme and carefully checked for repetition and apparent errors.

Results: A total of 7412 cases were compiled, 68.9% were from the inhabitants of Basrah governorate, 18.7% from Thi Qar, 9.7% from Missan and 2.6% for other governorates. The reported numbers for the years 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2008 were 1770, 2082, 1836 and 1735 in that order. Cases among males and females accounted for 47.2 and 52.8 respectively. The ten leading cancers during 2005-2008 were those of breast, lymphomas, lung & Bronchus, leukaemias, urinary bladder, CNS, musculoskeletal, Colorectal, stomach and skin. Collectively these ten cancers accounted for 68.6% of all registered cases.

Conclusions: A dynamic strategy on cancer control encompassing prevention, treatment, and registration is the only means to deal effectively and sensibly with an ever increasing health problem.

¹(Ph.D.), Professor of Epidemiology and Health Care, Department of Community, Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Basrah.

² (FIBMS Path.), Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Basrah

³ (FACMS), Internist and Medical Oncologist, Al-Sadr Teaching Hospital, Basrah

⁴(FICMS), Pathologist. Al-Sadr Teaching Hospital, Basrah

⁵(ACPB), Assistant professor and Paediatrics Oncologist, College of Medicine, University of Basrah

⁶(FIBMS Path.), Assistant Professor, Department of Pathology and Forensic Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Basrah

⁷(DCM), Community Physician, Director of Cancer Contro Centre-Basrah