Cancer in the Grand Libreville, Gabon (2013-2017)

The burden of cancer is expected to nearly double in sub-Saharan Africa over the next 20 years. In Gabon, the primary population-based cancer registry to be established is located in the Grand Libreville. This study presents cancer incidence rates covering the first 5-year period of registration in this region.

1,549 cancer cases were recorded among residents of the Grand Libreville between 2013 and 2017, 955 (61.6 %) women and 594 (38.3 %) males.

The age standardized incidence rates (ASR) for all sites were 73.3 per 10⁵ in females and 47.7 per 10⁵ in males, rather similar from those observed in neighbouring countries of central Africa. Breast (ASR 19.0 per 10⁵) and cervical cancers (ASR 16.3 per 10⁵) accounted for half of female cancers. Prostate (ASR 12.0 per 10⁵), liver (ASR 5.1 per 10⁵) and colorectal cancers (ASR of 5.0 per 10⁵) accounted for 41.1 % of male cancers.

Breast and prostate cancers ranked first in females and males, respectively, even if the incidences appear much lower in comparison with other regional cancer registries rates, implying they may be underestimated. Cancers of the digestive organs were markedly more frequent in men than women, especially for liver, colorectal (and anus) and the mouth and pharynx. The incidence rates of these latter cancers are relatively similar to those of other registries of the central African region. These results may be of importance for implementing more adapted strategies in the battle against cancer.