Cancer Trends in Iraq 2000–2016

Abstract

Objectives: Precise and quantitative assessment of the trend of cancer burden enables policymakers and health managers to prioritize diseases and allocate resources better. This infers what caused a decrease or increase in the rate of cancer occurrence, and if it denotes timing of implementation of a control measure, it presents the impact on the disease rate. This study’s objective was to evaluate trends in child and adult cancer in Iraq from 2000 onwards. Methods: We used the registries of the Iraqi Ministry of Health that were gathered from all governorates from 2000–2016. Data were presented as incidence rates to depict the trends of different types of cancers distributed by age, gender, and governorates. Results: Breast cancer witnessed a significant increase with predominance in females. Lung cancer rate increased significantly from 4.08 to 5.60/100 000 (p = 0.038), affecting males more than females. The brain cancer trend showed a bimodal pattern (two peaks in 2004 and 2011) with no significant trend change (p = 0.788). Both genders were similarly affected. The trend of stomach and colorectal cancer showed an accelerated increase after 2007. Conclusions: Almost all cancers (particularly lung and gastrointestinal) showed constantly raising trends, especially after 2007. Only cervical and laryngeal cancer had a decreasing trend. Most cancers were predominant in males.