Incidence and trends of breast and cervical cancers: A Joinpoint regression analysis

Abstract

Abstract Background: Breast and cervical cancers are two major cancers affecting women's health. Breast cancer is the most invasive cancer, and cervical cancer is the fourth most leading cause of death among women. Analysis of updated incidence data and their trends would help policymakers in planning and organizing programs to reduce the burden. This study aims to present regional variations in recent years and study trends of both the cancers in India. Materials and Methods: For recent incidence rates of cervical and breast cancers, data were obtained from the National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP) reports (2009–2011) for 25 registries and of 2012–2014 for 27 registries. Trends were studied for data obtained from different NCRP reports for the years 1982–2014 in six major registries. One in number of person who developed cancer and the annual Percentage change in incidence were calculated along with the trend analysis for both the cancers. The Joinpoint Regression Model was used for trend analysis. Results: The age-adjusted rate (AAR) of incidence of breast cancer in the South region was 36.78 in 2009–2011 as against the North region with 41 in 2012–2014. One in number who develop breast cancer remains highest in the North-East region but changed from 167 in 2009 to 200 in 2012. Cervical cancer was also the highest in the North-East region during 2009 and 2012. There is an increase in the overall cervical cancer incidence with 24.3 AAR in 2009 to 28.0 in 2012 and one in 200 who develop cervical cancer in 2009 to 250 in 2012. The trend analysis for six major registries showed an increase in the incidence of breast cancer, with the highest increase in New Delhi (3.22), and decrease in the incidence of cervical cancer, with the highest decrease in Mumbai (−1.21). Conclusion: There has been an exponential increasing trend in breast cancer and a steep declining linear trend in cervical cancer, conferring an inverse relationship between the two cancers. This trend is present in all the major cancer registries.