Comprehensive Analysis of Cancer Burden in Andaman and Nicobar Islands: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The common sites of cancer have varied distribution in different geographical locations. This study was conducted to determine the demographic profile in cancer patients at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out in Oncology OPD of G.B Pant Hospital, ANIIMS, Port Blair. Data were collected from hospital based registry for demographic profile of cancer patients, who attended oncology OPD, between January 2015 to January 2016, with a pretested and validated structured format. Data were analyzed in the form of percentage and proportions. Results: A total of 275 patients attended Oncology OPD in one year, out of which 138 of the total cases were males. Seventy percent of patients belonged to South Andaman province. 15 patients were of indigenous tribal origin of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Cancer was most common in the age group of 50 to 69 years, which comprised 48.7% of the total cases. Oral cancer was overall, the most common cancer. It comprised 19.27% of all the cases, followed by breast cancer comprising 16.36% of the total cases. The most common site of malignancy noted in males was oral cavity, comprising of 31.15% cases, followed by lung, with 9.4% cases. In females, the most common site of malignancy was breast, comprising 32.8% of the total cases, followed by cervical, with 7.2% of the total cases. Majority of the patients, 64.36% were in advanced stage of cancers at the time of diagnosis. Conclusion: Head and neck cancers are more prevalent in population of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and the reasons for this should be explored for better control of malignancies in the island. Thus, cancer registration helps the public health professionals to understand the dynamics of cancer incidence for the formulation of future strategies.