Cancer Incidence and Mortality: District Cancer Registry, Trivandrum, South India

BACKGROUND: Cancer is emerging as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in low and middle-income countries. Cancer registry figures help for planning and delivery of health services. This paper provided the first results of cancer incidence and mortality [Crude (CR) and age-standardized (ASR)] rates (world-standard population) of Trivandrum district, South India and compared with other registries under the network of National Cancer Registry Programme (NCRP), Government of India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Trivandrum district cancer registry encompasses a population of 3.3 million, compiles data from nearly 75 sources (hospitals and diagnostic laboratories) and included under the NCRP in 2012. During 2012-2014, registry recorded 15,649 incident cases and 5667 deaths. Proportion of microscopic diagnosis was 85% and ‘Death certificate only’ was 8%. RESULTS: Total cancer incidence (CRs) rates were 161 and 154 (ASR: 142.2 and 126) and mortality rates were 66 and 49 (ASR: 54 and 37) per 10(5) males and females respectively. Common cancers in males were lung (ASR: 19), oral cavity (ASR: 15), colo-rectum (ASR: 11.2), prostate (ASR: 10.2) and lymphoma (ASR: 7) and in females, breast (ASR: 36), thyroid (ASR: 13.4), cervix-uteri (ASR: 7.3), ovary (ASR: 7) and colo-rectum (ASR: 7). Nationally, the highest CRs for breast, prostate, colo-rectum, corpus-uteri and urinary bladder cancers and low incidence of cervix-uteri cancer were observed in Trivandrum. CONCLUSION: Cancer incidence (CR) in Trivandrum was the highest in both genders in India (except Aizwal). This is mainly due to the highest life-expectancy in Kerala. Also, an epidemiologic transition in cancer pattern is taking place and is changing to more similar to “western” jurisdictions.