Stage at diagnosis of colorectal cancer in the Middle East and Northern Africa
Published in the International Journal of Cancer this March 2024: Stage at diagnosis of colorectal cancer in the Middle East and Northern Africa: A population-based cancer registry study Ariana Znaor, Sultan Eser, Karima Bendahhou, Wael Shelpai, Najla Al Lawati, Amani ELBasmi, Elias Mamo Alemayehu, Mohammed Adnane Tazi, Cankut Yakut, Marion Piñeros
The article concludes that the Middle East and Northern Africa (MENA) region faces an increasing prevalence of lifestyle risk factors for colorectal cancer. The authors collected colorectal cancer stage data (TNM and/or SEER) from 12 population-based cancer registries in nine MENA countries. About one third of cases were diagnosed with distant metastases. The metastatic cancer proportions were lower in Oman, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates compared to other MENA countries, but still less favourable than in Europe and the United States.
Harmonising the use of staging systems and focusing data collection on major cancers is needed to inform colorectal cancer control in MENA.
Link to the article: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ijc.34895