Cancer Incidence and Mortality Estimates in Arab Countries in 2018: A GLOBOCAN Data Analysis

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Oncology
• Public Health

Background:

• Arab countries face increasing cancer incidence and mortality.
• Limited comparative epidemiological studies exist for Arab nations versus the global population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare cancer incidence and mortality rates in Arab-speaking countries with global estimates.
• To identify specific cancer types with notable differences in the Arab world.

Main Methods:

• Utilized 2018 Global Cancer Observatory data.
• Compared age-standardized cancer incidence and mortality estimates.

Main Results:

• Overall cancer incidence and mortality rates are lower in Arab countries than the global average.
• Higher incidence rates were observed for non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Hodgkin lymphoma, bladder, breast, and liver cancers.
• Arab countries exhibited a higher mortality-to-incidence ratio for cancers compared to global rates, with significant regional variations within Arab nations.

Conclusions:

• Improvements needed in cancer treatment to lower mortality-to-incidence ratios.
• Vaccination and antiviral programs are essential for preventing viral infection-related cancers.
• High incidence of certain cancers in younger Arab populations highlights the need for genetic epidemiology studies.