What Can We Learn from Recent Cancer Statistics in South Africa?
Cancer occurs when cells in the body grow and divide uncontrollably, often forming tumors and disrupting normal bodily functions. This disease remains a global health crisis, with nearly 10 million deaths reported in 2022, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) bear the brunt of the burden, and by 2040, two-thirds of new cancer cases are expected to occur in these regions. The implications for health systems and economies are enormous.
Effective cancer surveillance is essential to address this challenge. Population-based cancer registries (PBCRs) collect data on cancer cases and deaths within specific geographic areas, helping to estimate cancer burden, monitor trends, and predict future cases.
In South Africa, the National Cancer Registry (NCR), part of the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), plays a key role in tracking cancer data. Since 2017, the Ekurhuleni population-based cancer registry (EPBCR) has collected high-quality data on cancer incidence. The NCR recently submitted its 2020 data to the Global Cancer Observatory, marking South Africa’s first inclusion in global cancer statistics.
This report presents key findings from the EPBCR’s sixth cancer incidence report for 2022, comparing age-standardised incidence rates (ASIRs) for common cancers and surveillance targets from 2017 to 2022. It offers crucial data for stakeholders to guide cancer initiatives, interventions, and evaluate health programmes.
Materials and Methods
The Ekurhuleni Population-Based Cancer Registry collects data on all cancer patients residing in the Ekurhuleni metropolitan area through both active and passive surveillance. Active surveillance involves deploying officers to healthcare facilities, while passive methods receive reports from these facilities.
Data collection follows guidelines from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), the International Association of Cancer Registries (IACR), and the African Cancer Registry Network (AFCRN). All confirmed cancer cases in residents diagnosed between January 1 and December 31 of the reporting year are included, with cancers registered by their primary site or as unknown if the primary site is unclear.
Results
In 2022, the Ekurhuleni Population-Based Cancer Registry recorded 4,116 cancer cases, with 42.3% occurring in males and 57.7% in females. The majority of cases were reported among Black (55%) and White (43%) populations, with smaller proportions in Coloured and Asian groups.
The most common cancers in men were prostate (24%), colorectal (6%), and lung (4%), while breast (25%), cervical (25%), and colorectal (4%) cancers were most frequent in women. Most cases (89.8%) were confirmed through histology, with additional diagnoses made through clinical assessments or death records. The complete report provides detailed incidence rates and lifetime cancer risk.
For a more in-depth look into this captivating study, download the full article below.
