Cancer Mortality in Basrah: A household Survey Results

Abstract

Background: This paper presents some data on cancer related mortality in Basrah governorate during the period 2010-2012 as part of a comprehensive household survey carried out during 2013 to document the extent of cancer and validate the official cancer registration. Objective: The main objective is to present data on cancer mortality in Basrah governorate Method: The study involved visiting 6999 households (families) who were interviewed on, among other aspects, incident cancer and mortality due to cancer during the three-year recall period. Results: A total of 6999 households (families) with 40688 inhabitants were successfully visited and data were collected and analyzed about their cancer experience. Eighty three persons died with cancer during 2010-2012 giving an average annual cancer specific mortality rate of 68.0 per 100000 persons. The mortality rate was higher for females (71.49 per 100000 females) as compared to males (64.61 per 100000 males) and was increasing with advancing age. The leading causes of mortality were cancers of the lung, breast, urinary bladder and colon-rectum. These four cancers accounted for almost half the deaths (49.4%) or 33.6 per 100000 of the population. Within the overall pattern of mortality in the population, cancer came in the 2 nd rank after cardiovascular disease. Conclusion: Cancer is an important contributor to mortality in Basrah governorate. The current level of mortality is higher than any previously reported figures.

Lung cancer in Basrah, Iraq during 2005-2012

“…This is due to the fact that more than 95% of the Iraqi population were under 65 years of age. 12 , 13 …”

“…Figures on Basrah population were obtained from various sources, including Ministry of Health, Ministry of Planning and Developmental Collaboration, 12 and local household surveys. 13 It was possible to have total population estimates for each year by age and gender.…”

“…1 - 5 Evidence from local studies suggests that lung cancer is fatal in the absolute sense and in terms of the 5-year survival rate, which might be as low as 0%. 4 , 6 , 7 Prognosis seems only modestly related to stage of cancer at diagnosis. Fatality, though reduced among patients with early-detected cancer, 8 remains high among the overall mix of cases.…”

Mortality among children in Basrah

“…The under 5 mortality rate actually increased in 14 countries across the world, nine of them are in sub-Saharan region. [4,5,22] Such differential figures across nations, must reflect variation in health care and standard of living as childhood mortality is an important indicator of population development, health and health care. According to the UNICEF report on the state of the world's children 2008 childhood mortality as a measure of outcome of development of a nation, is the result of a wide range of factors and conditions such as the nutritional status and health knowledge of mothers, the coverage rate by immunization and oral rehydration therapy and reflects abroad development at society level.…”