CANCER IN THE EASTERN REGION OF SAUDI-ARABIA - A POPULATION-BASED STUDY (1987-1988)

This study presents the findings of the first population-based tumor r egistry in the Eastern region (ER). Data on all cancer sites, in 1987 and 1988, were captured from all health facilities in the ER. A region al population census was obtained from regional health authorities. Ca ncer deaths were obtained from death registries. Age-specific rate, cr ude incidence rate (CIR), age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) and re lative age-standardized incidence rate (%ASR) were compared with avail able population-based data from 137 tumor registries. 1559 primary can cer cases were captured. The CIR and ASR/100,000/year for cancer among Saudi males were respectively 59.8 and 125.7. The corresponding rates among Saudi females were 43.6 and 95.5. These rates rank very low on the international scale. Cancer sites with the highest %ASR among Saud i males were lung, lymphomas, leukemias, urinary bladder and tumors of uncertain primary. For Saudi females, these sites were breast, leukem ias, tumors of brain and nervous system, thyroid and tumors of uncerta in primary. Lung cancer was the leading cause of death from cancer amo ng Saudi males. The first regional population-based cancer registry in Saudi Arabia was established in 1987. The overall cancer ASR in the E R is low. The leading cancer sites with the highest %ASR are lung in S audi males and breast in Saudi females.