Addis Ababa population-based pattern of cancer therapy, Ethiopia.

Cancer in Sub-Saharan Africa is becoming an important challenge for health services due to rising numbers of patients. In Addis Ababa with around 3.5 million inhabitants, more than 2000 cases are diagnosed annually. In this retrospective population-based cohort study we assessed completeness of and waiting time for cancer-therapy among patients registered in the Addis Ababa City Cancer Registry (AACCR), Ethiopia. Patient hospital files were retrieved to complete the data from AACCR. A total of 588 files were found (51% of those diagnosed from January to March 2012 and 2014). We analyzed completeness and waiting time of chemotherapy and radiotherapy; with completeness defined as ≥85% therapy received according to local guidelines. Analysis was done for the five most common cancer-types commonly treated with chemotherapy (breast, colorectal, non-Hodgkin`s lymphoma, lung and ovarian) and the four most common cancer-types commonly treated with radiotherapy (breast, cervical, head and neck and rectal). In our study, half of the patients (54.1%) received adequately dosed chemotherapy and 24.5% of patients received adequately dosed radiotherapy. The median waiting time was 2.1 months (Range: 0 to 20.72) for chemotherapy and 7 months (Range: 0.17 to 21.8) for radiotherapy. This study underscores the need for health system measures to improve cancer-directed therapy in Ethiopia, especially concerning radiotherapy.

First data from a population based cancer registry in Ethiopia.

BACKGROUND: The Addis Ababa City Cancer Registry, established in September 2011, is the only population-based cancer registry in Ethiopia, covering a catchment population of just over three million habitants. Herein, we report incidence data based on the first two years of registration, 2012-2013. METHODS: Newly-diagnosed cancer cases in the capital city were actively collected from 22 hospitals, clinics, and diagnostic facilities. RESULTS: During 2012-2013, a total of 4139 newly diagnosed cases were recorded, with the majority (67%) occurring in females. Cancers of the breast (31.5%) and cervix (14.1%) were the two most common cancers among females, while colorectal cancers (10.6%) and non-Hodgkin lymphomas (10.2%) were the most common cancers among males. The average annual age-standardized rate for all sites 2012-13 were 136.2 (per 100,000) and 70.7 in females and males, respectively. Female age-standardized rates were 40.6 for breast cancer and 21.5 for cervix, while equivalent rates in males were 7.6 per 100,000 for colorectal cancer and 6.8 per 100,000 for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. CONCLUSION: In general, these incidence patterns were similar to those reported in neighboring countries, which suggests that the majority of cancer cases occurring in Addis Ababa are captured within this starting phase of the registry. However, our finding of colorectal cancer as the most commonly-diagnosed cancer in males is novel and requires further investigation.