Cancer in the North ‐ Western region of Nigeria: an update analysis of Zaria cancer registry data

Abstract

Objective: To update the pattern of cancer in the North -western region of Nigeria
Methods: Data on new cancer cases registered at Zaria cancer registry of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, for a period of five years (1992‐1996), inclusive of the period of previous study, were obtained and analyzed. Data was collected from various sources within the hospital complex through active reporting. Classification of primary sites of cancer was based on international classification of disease (ICD) 9th edition by WHO.
Results: From January 1992 to December 1996, a total number of 1887 new cancer cases were registered at the hospital‐ based cancer registry of Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH)) Zaria. There were 879 (46.6%) males and 1008 (53.4%) females with male to female ratio of 1:1.2. Malignant lymphoma, 201 (22.9%) was the commonest cancer in men. This was
followed by carcinoma of the urinary bladder, 99 (11.3%), and prostate, 81 (9.2%). In women cancer of the cervix, 256 (25.4), Breast, 223 (22.1%) and malignant lymphoma, 74 (7.3%) were the commonest in that order. All the four new cases of cancer of the lung occurred in men. Brain tumor is rare and occurred during childhood.

Conclusion: Cancer, non‐communicable disease is increasingly becoming a major public health concern, hence the need for a national policy formulation for its management and control.