Geographical variation and factors associated with gastric cancer in Manitoba

Abstract

Objectives We investigated the spatial disparities and factors associated with gastric cancer (GC) Incidence in Manitoba. Methods We combined information from Manitoba Cancer registry and Census data to obtain an age-sex adjusted relative risk (IRR) of GC incidence. We geocoded the IRR to the 96 regional health authority districts (RHADs) using the postal code conversion file (PCCF). Bayesian spatial and spatio-temporal Poisson regression models were used for the analysis. Results Adjusting for the effect of socio-economic score index (SESI), Indigenous, and immigrant population, 25 districts with high overall GC risk were identified. One unit increase in SESI was associated with reduced risk of cardia GC (CGC) by 14% (IRR = 0.859; 95% CI: 0.780–0.947) and the risk of non-cardia GC (NCGC) by approximately 10% (IRR = 0.898; 95% CI: 0.812–0.995); 1% increase in regional Indigenous population proportion reduced the risk of CGC by 1.4% (IRR = 0.986; 95% CI: 0.978–0.994). In the analysis stratified by sex, one unit increase in SESI reduced the risk of CGC among women by 26.2% (IRR = 0.738; 95% CI: 0.618–0.879), and a 1% increase in Indigenous population proportion reduced the risk of CGC among women by 1.9% (IRR = 0.981; 95% CI: 0.966–0.996). Conclusion Our results support a significant association between SESI and NCGC. We report regional variation of GC IRR and a varying temporal pattern across the RHADs. These results could be used to prioritize interventions for regions with high and progressive risk of GC.

Estimating regional and national cancer incidence in Uganda: a retrospective population-based study, 2013–2017

“…It is much easier to engage policy makers and politicians in cancer control when presenting real data from their respective settings and regions than presenting modelled estimates [ 18 , 35 ]. Locally generated cancer data, even when not adhering to all international standards, play a big role in pointing-out strengths and weakness of the whole healthcare system and may assist in quantifying the magnitude of the regional problems, providing evidence for the needed improvements in cancer care [ 16 , 43 ]. Hence, the results of this study will demonstrate to policy makers how important their support is in improving the quality of cancer data in Uganda and could allow for policy development, appropriate planning and placement of cancer diagnostic and treatment facilities in different parts of the country.…”