Abstract
With current situation of increasing burden of cancer in Pakistan, this report reviews studies related to cancer burden and cancer prevention and control in Pakistan. Electronic databases used were PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, the University of Adelaide library & AKU library database, to search for relevant articles on the topic of cancer prevalence in Pakistan published in English. We conducted a literature search of published epidemiological and clinical studies relating to this topic up to March 1st, 2020. There is a dearth of epidemiological studies in cancer risk factors, prevention and control. Most studies are hospital based with small sample sizes and underpowered. Epidemiological integrated transdisciplinary research in collaboration with hospitals is needed to find the actual burden, etiology and feasible prevention strategies of cancer unique to our population with focus on low cost screening methods for early detection of cancers and premalignant lesions in our population. There is an urgent need for a centralized national cancer registry to have combined results of cancer registry from Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, Karachi Caner Registry, Punjab Cancer Registry and cancer registries from the rest of Pakistan. There is a need to make cancer incidence as notifiable disease mandatory to have the data of cancer incidence in Pakistan. Collaboration is also needed to work with diverse groups like the National Cancer Society of Pakistan (NCSP), National Cancer Control Plan, and Society of Medical Oncology Pakistan to draft and implement plans and strategies for national cancer control programs. It will help mobilize Ministry of Health and policy makers to address the alarming high incidence of different types of cancers in Pakistan.
Highlights
With current situation of increasing burden of cancer in Pakistan, this report reviews studies related to cancer burden and cancer prevention and control in Pakistan
Electronic databases used were PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, the University of Adelaide library & Aga Khan University (AKU) library database, to search for relevant articles on the topic of cancer prevalence in Pakistan published in English
Data from the Karachi Cancer Registry (KCR) reported that most common cancer was lung cancer among males, associated with cigarette smoking followed by carcinoma of the oral cavity, again associated with high tobacco smoking and smokeless tobacco [5] in spite of smoking ban in Pakistan since 2002 [6]
Summary
The global burden of cancer is increasing and there was approximately 8.1 million new cases with 9.6 million deaths in 2018 [1]. According to an estimate the risk of developing cancer is one in 5 among men and one in 6 among women during their lifetime [2]. The most common cancers are cancers of lung, female breast, and colorectum. In Asia, it is observed that there has been one of the most rapid increases in breast cancer occurring over the last two decades [3]. With current situation of increasing burden of cancer in Pakistan, this report reviews studies related to cancer burden and cancer prevention and control in Pakistan
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