Epidemiology of Rectal Cancer Patients in the Kingdom of Bahrain: A Retrospective Cohort Study

As rectal cancer diagnosis becomes more prevalent due to the increased awareness caused by campaigns, this study aims to focus on the demographics of patients diagnosed with rectal cancer in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

A retrospective cross-sectional study design was conducted on 184 patients diagnosed with primary or second primary rectal cancer. Stage and site of tumor at diagnosis, gender, BMI, family history, histology, and metastasis are discussed throughout the paper.

The majority of the population (85.9%) were Bahraini, with males (57.6%) being more prevalent. A little over 50% of patients diagnosed with rectal cancer were aged 60 years or younger. In most cases, the tumors were spotted in the lower rectum (48.9%) and were diagnosed by the appearance of symptoms (91.8%). Kaplan-Meier Survival analysis showed that the overall survival for males is 95.3% and for females 93.6% for 1 year.

The high number of Bahraini males diagnosed with rectal cancer highlights the importance of early screening and detection. The prevalence of the tumor in the lower rectum suggests the need for improved education on recognizing symptoms and seeking medical attention. Further research is required to establish a comprehensive national screening program for rectal cancer in Bahrain.

Understanding the demographic and clinical characteristics of rectal cancer patients in the Kingdom of Bahrain is required to target early screening and public awareness. The findings of this study provide a solid foundation for future developments in rectal cancer diagnosis and treatment to improve survival outcomes.

Juma IM, Saeed MF, Hamel LR, et al. Epidemiology of Rectal Cancer Patients in the Kingdom of Bahrain: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Euroasian J Hepato-Gastroenterol 2024;14(2):205-209.