PurposeIncidence and prevalence are important factors in policy making and planning in health care systems. The aim of this study was to compare two different estimates of the incidence and prevalence of cancer in Colombia—real-world data from the health care system and estimates from cancer registries.Materials and MethodsData from all providers were aggregated by the High-Cost Diseases Office (Cuenta de Alto Costo [CAC]). The real-world, age-standardized observed incidence (OI) and observed prevalence (OP) rates were calculated using the number of patients with a diagnosis of cancer who were cared for in the national health system between 2014 and 2015. The registry estimated incidence (EI) and estimated prevalence (EP) were extracted from GLOBOCAN population fact sheets for 2012, which use data from four Colombian city-based registries and extrapolate survival using the average for Asian countries, together with registries from Uganda and Zimbabwe.ResultsA total of 130,441 patients were analyzed. The OI of cancer in Colombia was 69.2 and the OP was 479 (per 100,000 people) in early 2015, whereas the EI was 175.2 and the 5-year EP was 501.2 (per 100,000 people), showing a higher estimate from GLOBOCAN data for 2012 than was observed in early 2015 by the CAC. Some differences were higher in specific cancers.ConclusionBecause of differences in methodology, the EI and the EP are not comparable to the OI and the OP. Policymakers need robust and current information to prioritize disease prevention and control programs. In Colombia, the OI and the OP—calculated by the CAC with data from the whole country—offer an opportunity for a more precise real-world estimation of patients with cancer in Colombia.

Background Cancer is widely recognized as a global public health problem. Breast, prostate, and cervical cancer are among the most frequent types in developing countries. Assessing their incidence and mortality by regions and municipalities is important to guide evidence-based health policy. Our aim was to describe the incidence and mortality trends for breast, cervical, and prostate cancer across regions and municipalities in Colombia during 2018. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis with data from people with breast, prostate, or cervical cancer, reported to the National Administrative Cancer Registry during 2018. A descriptive analysis was performed. Age-standardized incidence and mortality rates were estimated at national, regional, and municipal levels. Finally, we identify the regions and municipalities with significantly higher or lower incidence and mortality rates compared to national estimations. Results Breast cancer was the most frequent type among all new cases and deaths in Colombia. Breast, prostate and cervical cancer incidence and mortality rates per 100,000 were: 18.69 (CI 95%: 18.15–19.25) and 10.48 (CI 95%: 10.07–10.91); 11.34 (CI 95%: 10.90–11.78) and 7.58 (CI 95%: 7.22–7.96); 5.93 (CI 95%: 5.62–6.25) and 4.31 (CI 95%: 4.05–4.58), respectively. Eastern region had both, incidence and mortality rates, significantly lower than national for all types of cancer. By municipalities, there was a heterogeneous pattern. Nonetheless, Agua de Dios (Cundinamarca), had one of the highest incidence rates for all types. Conclusions We observed clear differences in cancer incidence and mortality across regions and municipalities, depending on each type of cancer. Our findings are important to improve screening coverage, early detection, and treatment in the country.

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