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Exploring Geographic Variability in Cancer Prevalence in Eastern Morocco: a Retrospective Study over Eight Years
- Source :
- PLoS ONE, PLoS ONE, Vol 11, Iss 3, p e0151987 (2016)
- Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- BackgroundMalignant diseases have been believed to be more common in some areas of Eastern Morocco, but until now, cancer patterns have not been reported for this region. In this paper we present for the first time the cancer prevalence analysis in Eastern Morocco.MethodsCross-sectional study carried out among all patients diagnosed and/or treated with cancer at the Hassan II Regional Oncology Center (ROC) since it was established in October 2005 until December 2012. The ROC is the only hospital specialized in cancer care in Eastern Morocco.ResultsA total of 8,508 cases of cancer were registered among residents in Eastern Morocco, with a female to male ratio of 2.1. The mean age at diagnosis was 53.9 ± 15.2 years (median age = 53 years). Thus, unlike in Western countries, cancer in Eastern Morocco afflicts younger population. The areas of Eastern Morocco did not differ significantly by mean age at diagnosis (p = 0.061). However, these regions differed significantly by sex ratio (p < 0.001). The highest sex ratio was observed in Figuig, with a female to male ratio of 3.1 (75.4% of the registered case were females), followed respectively by Taourirt, Oujda-Angad, Berkane, Nador-Driouch and Jerada. Clear variation in the distribution of cancer types between areas of Eastern Morocco was observed, both in males and females (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the areas of Eastern Morocco differed significantly by cancer prevalence (p < 0.001). The highest age-standardized five-year prevalence proportion was observed in Oujda-Angad with 420.2 per 100,000, followed respectively by Berkane (311.4), Jerada (287.8), Taourirt (269.3), Nador-Driouch (213.6) and Figuig (194.4). Trends in the five-year prevalence proportions decreased in Oujda-Angad, Berkane and Jerada throughout the study period, while an increasing trend was observed in Nador-Driouch, Taourirt and Figuig.ConclusionsFor the first time, our study presents the pattern and distribution of diagnosed cancers in Eastern Morocco. Our study illustrates substantial differences in cancer patterns between areas of Eastern Morocco. These findings are important for cancer control and highlight the need to develop program aiming at controlling and preventing the spread of major cancer sites in Eastern Morocco, particularly in areas with increased cancer prevalence rates.
- Subjects :
- Male
Viral Diseases
Pathology
Prevalence
Lung and Intrathoracic Tumors
Geographical Locations
0302 clinical medicine
Neoplasms
Breast Tumors
Medicine and Health Sciences
030212 general & internal medicine
education.field_of_study
Multidisciplinary
Geography
Middle Aged
Morocco
Infectious Diseases
Oncology
Paleogeography
030220 oncology & carcinogenesis
Medicine
Female
Seasons
Cancer Prevention
Sex ratio
Research Article
Human Papillomavirus Infection
medicine.medical_specialty
Urology
Science
Population
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
03 medical and health sciences
Breast cancer
Breast Cancer
Cancer Detection and Diagnosis
medicine
Humans
Sex Ratio
education
Cancer prevalence
Retrospective Studies
Cancer prevention
Genitourinary Infections
business.industry
Cancers and Neoplasms
Biology and Life Sciences
Paleontology
Cancer
Correction
Retrospective cohort study
medicine.disease
People and Places
Africa
Earth Sciences
business
Demography
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 19326203
- Volume :
- 11
- Issue :
- 3
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- PloS one
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....ba2967668291cfbb88eadeed8a7af680