ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Pakistan has a high incidence of cancer. The most severely affected province is the North West Frontier Province, which has districts of low socioeconomic status such as those in Dir. The purpose of this study was to analyze the cancer registry record of patients from the districts in Dir in order to obtain a net cancer incidence for use in proposing future health plans. METHODS: The medical records of 1,105 patients registered at the Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine in Peshawar were traced. Information regarding age, gender and affected sites were obtained. RESULTS: The incidence of cancer increased, with a mean incidence of 15.04 per 100,000 in 2000-2004. Of the 1,105 patients, 62% were male and 38% were female. The most affected female age groups were 41-50 and 51-60; while males in the age groups of 51-60 and 61-70 had the highest risk. The leading cancers were lymph/blood, and cancers of the digestive system, skin and breast. CONCLUSION: The increasing trend of cancer in Dir is alarming. Since this study was a preliminary investigation, it could provide a leading role in prevention, treatment and future planning regarding cancer in Pakistan.
Subject(s)
Neoplasms/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Incidence , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Male , Middle Aged , Pakistan/epidemiology , Registries , Sex Distribution , Time FactorsABSTRACT
District Dir is a part of North-West frontier Province (NWFP) in Pakistan with poor health, education and socioeconomic and other facilities. Data regarding occupational cancer were here collected from cancer registry of Institute of Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine (IRNUM) Peshawar for January-2000 to December-2004 and medical records of 1105 patients were traced and analyzed. It was observed that 61 % (683/1105) were males and 39% females. Farmers accounted for 43.8% of cancers, the second most effected people being housewives with 33.8% then children/students at third place with 12.8%. Cancers in laborers and other people like government employees, businessman and shopkeepers were less often found. The data from a cancer registry for a low socioeconomic region should be helpful for future mass screening and determination of risk factors within the country and in Asia in general region. Increased awareness by education is highly important and may play a beneficial role in diagnosis, treatment and prevention.
