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30-year cancer trends in Jamaica. Kingston & St. Andrew (1958-1987)
1Jamaica Cancer Registry, Department of Pathology, U.W.I.
Insights
Cancer incidence in Jamaica from 1958-1987 shows declining esophageal and stomach cancers. Breast and cervical cancers are most common in women, while prostate, stomach, and lung cancers lead in men.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Malignant neoplasms represent a significant public health concern globally.
- Understanding long-term cancer incidence trends is crucial for effective health planning.
- Jamaica's Kingston & St. Andrew region provides a unique demographic for studying cancer patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the 30-year trends of malignant neoplasms in Kingston & St. Andrew, Jamaica.
- To identify the most prevalent cancer types in males and females.
- To assess changes in the incidence of specific cancers over time.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 19,225 malignant neoplasm records.
- Data collected over a 30-year period (1958-1987).
- Categorization of cancers by primary site and sex.
Main Results:
- Most common male cancers: prostate (12.2%), stomach (10.9%), lung (10.7%).
- Most common female cancers: breast (24.1%), invasive cervical carcinoma (20%).
- Declining trends observed for esophageal and stomach cancers; stable trends for colorectal neoplasms; increasing diagnosis of in situ cervical lesions.
Conclusions:
- Significant shifts in cancer demographics observed in Jamaica over three decades.
- Public health strategies should address prevalent cancers like breast and prostate.
- Improved cervical cancer screening may explain the shift from invasive to in situ diagnoses.
Abstract:
A total of 19,225 malignant neoplasms were recorded in Kingston & St. Andrew, Jamaica over the 30-year period 1958-1987. The most prevalent cancers in males were those of prostate (12.2%), stomach (10.9%) and lung (10.7%). In females 24.1% of cancers occurred in breast and 20% were recorded for invasive carcinoma of the cervix. There is a steady improvement in the diagnosis of in situ cervical lesions, and a relative decline in the incidence of invasive lesions. Lung cancer in women remains at a low level. A significant decline in cancer of the oesophagus and stomach in both sexes was noted, while neoplasms of colon and rectum maintained a stable pattern. The 30-year trends of lymphomas and leukaemias have shown no increase, although there are changes in classification patterns.