Cancer Prevention and Control in Pakistan: Review of Cancer Epidemiology and Challenges

• Main Author: Uzma Shamsi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Liaquat National Hospital and Medical College 2020-05-01
• Series: Liaquat National Journal of Primary Care
• Subjects: cancer prevalence; cancer epidemiology; risk factors; cancer prevention and screening; palliative care; cancer registry; pakistan
• Online Access: https://journals.lnh.edu.pk/lnjpc/pdf/7795eb42-d838-491d-99bb-aade6db21227.pdf
• ISSN: 2707-3521; 2708-9134

With current situation of increasing burden of cancer in Pakistan, this report reviews studies related to cancer burden and cancer prevention and control in Pakistan. Electronic databases used were PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, the University of Adelaide library & Aga Khan University (AKU) library database, to search for relevant articles on the topic of cancer prevalence and prevention in Pakistan published in English. We conducted a literature search of published epidemiological and clinical studies relating to this topic up to March 1, 2020. It showed that there is a dearth of epidemiological studies in cancer risk factors, prevention and control in our population. Most studies are hospital based with small sample sizes and underpowered. Epidemiological integrated transdisciplinary research is needed to find the actual burden, etiology and feasible prevention strategies of cancer unique to our population with focus on low cost screening methods for early detection of cancers and premalignant lesions in our population. There is an urgent need for a centralized national cancer registry to have combined results of cancer registry from Pakistan Atomic Energy Commission, Karachi Caner Registry, Punjab Cancer Registry and cancer registries from the rest of Pakistan. To have the data of cancer incidence in Pakistan, policy is needed to make cancer incidence as notifiable disease and mandatory. Collaboration is also needed to work with diverse groups like the National Cancer Society of Pakistan (NCSP), National Cancer Control Plan, and Society of Medical Oncology Pakistan to draft and implement plans and strategies for national cancer control programs. It will help mobilize Ministry of Health and policy makers to address the alarming high incidence of different types of cancers in Pakistan.