ABSTRACT
Cancer is the third cause of death in Iran, with an increasing incidence projected for the next decade. This study aimed to provide a disaggregated viewpoint on cancer incidence in all 22 districts of Tehran, using the Geographic Information System [GIS]. Identifying clusters of cancers may assist in recognizing the cause of the disease, visualizing patterns of cancer distribution, the potential disparities, and help in the provision of early detection programs and equitable, curative, and palliative services. According to the 2007 - 2008 Cancer Registry Data published by the Ministry of Health, there were 7948 new cancer cases diagnosed in Tehran. Data were collected from all pathology centers and hospitals, either public or private facilities, in Tehran. These were classified into 31 main categories according to the expert panels and available resources. The population of the districts and neighborhoods were obtained from the Iran Statistical Center and the Municipally of Tehran, respectively. Home addresses and phones were extracted from the database and imported to GIS. The Age-Standardized Rate [ASR] was calculated using both the new world standard population [2000 - 2025] and the Iran population. Overall, the cancer incidence rate and ASR were 101.8 and 94.775 per 100,000 people, respectively. The maximum cancer incidence rates in both sexes were in districts 6, 3, 1, and 2, whereas, the maximum ASRs were in districts 6, 1, 2, and 3. District 6 accommodated the highest ASRs in both the sexes. Common cancers were breast, skin, colorectal, stomach, and prostate. The ASR in men and women were 129.954 and 114.546 per 100,000 population. This report provides an appropriate guide to estimate the cancer distribution within the districts of Tehran. Higher ASR in districts 6, 1, 2, and 3, warrant further research, to obtain robust population-based incidence data and also to investigate the background predisposing factors in the specified districts
ABSTRACT
The global burden of cancer continues to increase largely because of the aging and growth of the world population alongside an increasing adoption of cancer-causing behaviors, particularly smoking and various environmental factors. A variety of cancers data in special geographic areas can help define medical programs for treatment and screening of high-risk groups. Since cancer types has not been reported within districts and neighbourhoods of Tehran city so far, this study could be considered as the first in this respect, which defines cancer epidemiology in the catchment area, and on the other hand, paves the provision of equitable services patient who need these facilities. This is the cross sectional study that shows cancer distribution patern. Incident cases from Tehran residents covered by the Iran University of Medical Sciences were obtained, which included almost 55% of the total cancer incidence in Tehran in 2007. Districts covered by the university were located in west and southwest of Tehran including districts 2,5,6,9,18,21, and 22 cases of other districts refered to Iran university that identified incidence cancer but results must interpreted with caution since those resident districts have not been covered population data were obtained from the previous census in 2006. Age and sex standard rate were calculated based on Iranian standard population. Cancers distribution maps were developed using available adresses, indicating districts and neighbourhoods in GIS. Common cancers diffrence within covered districts was tested by Fisher exact test. Cancer incidence in specified districts of Tehran was 72.822 in 100000 population, where district 6 had the highest incidence [ASR=90.552] followed by district 2 [ASR=71.503] and the least incidence was in district 18 [ASR=34.991]. This diffrence was significant within districts by Fisher exact test. The highest ASRs in women was 87.517 in districts 6 and 2 [71.621] and in male respectivly 94.683 and 70.919. Highest incidence within neighbourhoods were Abasabad, Qaemmaqam and Gand in males and Ddaneshgah, Arjantin and Shiraz in females. High cancers ASR consisted of breast [9.018], colorectal [4.94], prostate [4.174], stomach [3.711] and skin [3.522]. More cancer aggregation, which was observed in districts 2 and 6 within the university catchment area and districts 1 and 3 out of this territory, warrants more researches to investigate what factors in the specified districts and neighbourhoods has led to this condition