Cancer incidence and mortality estimates in Arab countries in 2018: A GLOBOCAN data analysis

Arab countries are projecting continuing growth in cancer incidence and mortality which require improvements in cancer policies and management. However, there are limited studies that investigate and compare the epidemiology of cancer incidence in Arab countries with only few studies addressing the age-specific rates across cancers. Based on the 2018 estimates from the Global Cancer Observatory, this study provides a comprehensive perspective of cancer burden in 2018 in Arab-speaking countries compared to the rest of the world. The age standardized rates for incidence and mortality for all cancers combined in Arab countries were lower than the global rates but the incidence rates of non-Hodgkin and Hodgkin lymphoma, bladder, breast, and liver cancers were higher. The top-most common cancers and incidence rates, even in age-specific groups, varied between sub-regions of Arab countries (the Levant, Arabian Gulf and Arab African sub-regions), and Iraq and Egypt, suggesting some common and unique environmental factors and possible ethnic or genetic heritages. Arab countries generally had higher mortality-to-incidence ratio than the world’s ratio. This study data is essential reference parameter to evaluate and monitor progress of national initiatives for surveillance programs and clinical management improvements tailored towards reducing cancer incidence and mortality in Arab countries.