Lung cancer in Pakistan, where do we stand?

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Lung cancer is a leading cause of cancer globally, affecting both males and females.
• Pakistan currently lacks a comprehensive central cancer registry, hindering accurate data collection.
• Existing data sources provide conflicting information on lung cancer incidence and mortality within Pakistan.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the true burden of lung cancer in Pakistan.
• To compare national statistics with international data.
• To highlight the need for a robust cancer registry system.

Main Methods:

• Utilized GLOBOCON 2012 statistics for international comparison.
• Analyzed data from the Pakistan Health and Research Council (PHRC) 2016.
• Assessed lung cancer incidence and mortality trends in Pakistan.

Main Results:

• Data on lung cancer incidence and mortality in Pakistan are insufficient.
• GLOBOCON 2012 ranked lung cancer as the 3rd most common cancer in Pakistan.
• PHRC 2016 data indicated lung cancer as the 10th most common, despite rising smoking rates.

Conclusions:

• There is a significant discrepancy in reported lung cancer statistics within Pakistan.
• The absence of a valid central cancer registry impedes accurate assessment of the lung cancer burden.
• Establishing a national cancer registry is crucial for effective public health strategies.