Cancer mortality in Basrah : a household survey results

Background: This paper presents some data on cancer related mortality in Basrah governorate during the period 2010-2012 as part of a comprehensive household survey carried out during 2013 to document the extent of cancer and validate the official cancer registration. Objective: The main objective is to present data on cancer mortality in Basrah governorate Method: The study involved visiting 6999 households (families) who were interviewed on, among other aspects, incident cancer and mortality due to cancer during the three-year recall period. Results: A total of 6999 households (families) with 40688 inhabitants were successfully visited and data were collected and analyzed about their cancer experience. Eighty three persons died with cancer during 2010-2012 giving an average annual cancer specific mortality rate of 68.0 per 100000 persons. The mortality rate was higher for females (71.49 per 100000 females) as compared to males (64.61 per 100000 males) and was increasing with advancing age. The leading causes of mortality were cancers of the lung, breast, urinary bladder and colon-rectum. These four cancers accounted for almost half the deaths (49.4%) or 33.6 per 100000 of the population. Within the overall pattern of mortality in the population, cancer came in the 2nd rank after cardiovascular disease. Conclusion: Cancer is an important contributor to mortality in Basrah governorate. The current level of mortality is higher than any previously reported figures.