Qatar National Cancer Registry Releases Cancer Incidence Rates in Qatar

Doha, April 27 (QNA) - The Qatar National Cancer Registry of the National Cancer Program at the Ministry of Public Health has released data on cancer incidence rates for the year 2018 in the State of Qatar. 1960 new cancer cases were diagnosed during 2018. Cases were distributed by 20 percent among Qataris, 80 percent among residents, 46 percent among females and 54 percent among males. The most common cancer among all nationalities was breast cancer, accounting for 16.58 percent of all cancer cases, followed by colorectal cancer at 9.44 percent. Thyroid cancer was the third most common cancer, at 6.33 percent of all cancer cases. Among females of all nationalities, breast cancer was the most common, accounting for 39.15 percent of all female cancer cases, followed by thyroid cancer. While in males, colorectal cancer was the most common, accounting for 10.93 percent of all male cancer cases, followed by prostate cancer, at 9.52 percent. As for children aged 0-14 years old, of all nationalities, 46 new cases of cancer were diagnosed during 2018, and the distribution was 33 percent among Qataris, 67 percent among residents, and 63 percent among females compared to 37 percent among males. Leukemia was the most common cancer, accounting for 32.61 percent of all childhood cancers, followed by brain cancer, which accounted for 13.04 percent of all cancer case of children. With regards to survival rates, it was found to be one of the highest compared to other countries, reaching 88 percent for breast cancer in women and nearly 82 percent for colorectal cancer. Vice President of the National Cancer Committee at the Ministry of Public Health Sheikh Dr. Muhammad bin Hamad Al-Thani stated that the Qatar National Cancer Registry represents an excellent model for effective partnership and continuous cooperation between all institutions working in the field of cancer, most notably the Hamad Medical Corporation, the Primary Health Care Corporation, Sidra Medicine, and the Qatar Cancer Society. He also stated that the Qatar National Cancer Registry is an important achievement and a vital source of information for policymakers and researchers who should benefit from this data and support its continuous development. Chair of the Cancer Information Governance Board CIGB at the Ministry of Public Health Dr. Al Hareth Muhammad Al Khater indicated that the data collected from all health service providers for cancer patients go under several procedures to ensure their quality and suitability for use in scientific research, decision-making, and the development and monitoring of national health programs. Within this context, Manager of the Qatar National Cancer Registry Amid Abu Hmaidan stated that the State of Qatar has a national cancer screening program for breast and bowel cancers, through which women of the age group 45-69 are examined periodically to ensure that they are free from breast cancer, as well as the case for people from Age group 50-74 to examine and ensure that they are free from bowel cancer. He encouraged everyone to call 8001112 to book an appointment for an examination. He also added that detailed information on cancer incidence is available in the Qatar National Cancer Registry. (QNA)