2012 Volume 20 Issue 1 Pages 32-38
Inadequate knowledge about health, illiteracy, cultural and religious issues, poverty, chronic infection, and malnutrition are continuously adding additional threat on the huge burden of cancers in Bangladesh. The aim of this study was to determine the trends and distributions of cancers in Bangladesh. Retrospective analysis was done on the cancer patients registered in the National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH) in Dhaka, Bangladesh during January, 2008 to December, 2010. Of total 27,281 cancer patients, 56.2% were male and majority were from 45-54 years age group. There was an increasing trend of cancers during the study period (P <0.05). According to International Classification of Diseases for Oncology (ICD-O, 3rd edition), most frequent cancers were respiratory system and intrathoracic organs (23.1%) followed by digestive organs (18.5%), female genital organs (11.9%), breast (11.7%), and lip, oral cavity and pharynx (11.6%). Overall, lung cancer was the leading cancer followed by breast, cervical, lymph node and lymphatics, and esophageal cancer. Lung cancer was the leading cancer among male followed by lymph node and lymphatics, and esophagus. However, top of the list was occupied by the breast cancer among females followed by cervical cancer, and lung cancer. In conclusion, an increasing trend of cancer was observed in Bangladesh. Lung and breast cancer was the leading cancer in male and female, respectively; and most frequent cancer was observed among illiterate and middle aged population. We recommend exerting proper emphasis on anti-tobacco campaign and breast self-examination for the females in addition to increasing overall awareness against cancers in Bangladesh.
