Cancer incidence in Addis Ababa, 2018-2022: The only population based cancer registry in Ethiopia

Cancer remains a significant public health challenge worldwide, with developing regions bearing a disproportionately higher burden. In Ethiopia, the scarcity of data from population-based cancer registries (PBCR) has limited a comprehensive understanding of the cancer profile in the country.

Data from the PBCR in Addis Ababa, covering approximately 3.7 million people (2020), about 3% of the Ethiopian population, were analyzed for cancer cases diagnosed between 2018 and 2022. Age-standardized incidence rates (ASR) for common cancers were calculated and compared with estimated rates in East Africa, West Africa, the Black population in the USA, and global averages.

A total of 14,053 cancer cases were recorded, with 4584 cases in men (ASR: 66.5 per 100,000) and 9469 cases in women (ASR: 113.5 per 100,000). Among males, the three most commonly diagnosed cancers were colorectal cancer (14.3% of all male cancers, with an ASR of 9.8 per 100,000), prostate cancer (12.9%, ASR 11.8 per 100,000), and mouth and pharynx cancer (6.6%, ASR 3.9 per 100,000). In females, the three most commonly diagnosed cancers were breast cancer (38.8% of all female cancers, with an ASR of 39.8 per 100,000), cervical cancer (14.3%, ASR 18.9 per 100,000), and colorectal cancer (7.2%, ASR 8.9 per 100,000).

This study reveals a higher cancer burden in women, with breast and cervical cancers accounting for over two-thirds of all cancer cases, consistent with cancer patterns in other East African regions. The lower incidence of prostate and liver cancers points to possible under diagnosis or underreporting, highlighting the need for enhanced diagnostic and screening capacities. The relatively high incidence of colorectal cancer emphasizes the importance of targeted awareness and screening programs, particularly in urban areas like Addis Ababa.