Abstract: Many studies indicate increasing cancer burden in developing world with prominent sex and urban-rural disparities in the populations. However, internationally comparable research data about cancer incidence in Armenia is lacking. This study aimed to provide information about trends and inequalities in cancer incidence in Armenian population. A cross-sectional study was conducted to analyze data from all hospital-based cancer registries of Armavir province, western Armenia, from January 2013 to December 2016. For the 4-year study period, cancer crude and age-standardized incidence rates, as well as Incidence Rate Ratios were estimated by age-groups, sex, and urban-rural areas. A total of 1,894 cancer cases were recorded during the study period. Lung cancer was the most frequent in men and breast cancer was the most prevalent in women. ASIRs per 100,000 person-years of all cancers combined in men were significantly higher than in women (IRR=1.36, 95% CI: 1.24, 1.49; p<0.001) and were fluctuated over time, while in women they were fairly stable. Disparities in cancer incidence by urban and rural residence were also statistically significant considering overall outcome (IRR=1.57, 95% CI: 1.43, 1.72; p<0.001), as well as after adjustment by sex and age. Significantly higher rates for urban young women was particularly evident. The patterns observed here suggest priorities to reduce inequalities and prevent new cancer cases in revealed vulnerable groups. These findings about disparities in cancer incidence can be used by health planners for the development of targeted prevention programs for more efficient use of restricted resources in this developing country.
Keywords: Armavir province; Armenia; cancer incidence; developing country; epidemiology; urban-rural, geographical inequality.
Title: Disparities in Cancer Incidence in Armenia, 2013-2016: Setting Priorities for Preventive Interventions
Author: Marselina Arshakyan, Marco Rocchi, Gohar Arshakyan, Laura Chiarantini
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
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