Age, Sex and Site Specific Incidence of Cancer in Kohgilooyeh and Boyerahmad- Iran: A Province with Low Cancer Incidence (2007-2009)

Background: Cancer is the third cause of death in Iran and its incidence is rising alarmingly. However, a study reported that Kohgilooyeh and Boyerahmad (a small province in Iran) seems to have substantially lower incidence rate of cancer compared to the other parts of the country. This study is conducted to investigate the epidemiological features of cancer regarding three key factors (sex, age and sites of cancer). Methods: The data collection strategy for this study is similar to the Iranian National Cancer Registry programme. Results: For the study period (2007-2009), 660 eligible cases of cancer were reported to Kohgilooyeh and Boyerahmad’s National Cancer Registry provincial office with average annual age standardized rate (ASR)=64.58 per 100000 (74.95 per 100000 and 45.85 per 100000 for men and women, respectively). The five leading primary cancer sites for both genders in K and B are skin, stomach, blood, bladder and breast. Regarding the sex specific incidence rates of cancer, the skin, stomach, bladder, blood and prostate in men and the skin, breast, stomach, blood and ovary in women are suggested to be the five leading sites of cancer. The trends of age-site specific incidence rates of skin cancer obtained in the current study are essentially similar to what is expected. Conclusion: Compared to the national and international figures, significant differences were found in the age-site specific rates of cancer in the province.