Exploring Geographic Variability in Cancer Prevalence in Eastern Morocco: A Retrospective Study over Eight Years.

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 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

Correction: Exploring Geographic Variability in Cancer Prevalence in Eastern Morocco: a Retrospective Study over Eight Years.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0151987.]

Cancer incidence in eastern Morocco: cancer patterns and incidence trends, 2005–2012

Abstract Background Cancer is one of the major health problems worldwide. In this article, we present for the first time the cancer incidence trends, the distribution and the socioeconomic profile of incident cancer cases in Eastern Morocco over a period of eight years. Methods Retrospective descriptive study of patients diagnosed with cancer at the Hassan II Regional Oncology Center (ROC) since it was created in October 2005 until December 2012. During the study period, the ROC was the only hospital specialized in cancer care in Eastern Morocco. Results A total of 7872 incident cases of cancer were registered in Eastern Morocco. Among these incident cases 5220 cases were women and 2652 were men, with a female to male ratio of 1.97. The mean age at diagnosis was 58 years for males and 52 for females and 94% of the patients aged over 30 years. For both sexes combined and for all cancer sites, breast cancer was the commonest followed by cervix uteri, colon-rectum, lung, nasopharynx, and stomach cancers. The most common cancer in women was breast cancer, followed respectively by cervix uteri cancer, colon-rectum cancer, ovary cancer, and stomach cancer. In men, the lung cancer ranked first, followed respectively by colon-rectum cancer, nasopharynx cancer, prostate cancer, and stomach cancer. For most cancers, crude incidence rates (CR) have increased significantly. The CR for all cancers combined has increased from 56.6 to 80.3 per 100,000 females and from 32.3 to 42.6 per 100,000 males during the study period. Patients profile analysis showed that 79% of cancer patients were from urban areas, 83% were unemployed and 85% had no health insurance. Conclusions The distribution of cancers in Eastern Morocco is different from those observed in other regions of Morocco. Unlike most countries, women were much more affected with cancer than men in Eastern Morocco. More importantly, the rates of many cancers are rising. Therefore, our data justify the need to develop effective programs for cancer control and prevention in Eastern Morocco. A better access to cancer care should be a priority of the health policies, given that the majority of cancer patients in Eastern Morocco are unemployed, and do not have medical care coverage

Schematic representation of Eastern Morocco region.

<p>Adapted from the High Commission for Planning 2012 document, see <a href="http://www.hcp.ma/region-oriental/docs/monographieFr2012/monographie%202012.pdf" target="_blank">http://www.hcp.ma/region-oriental/docs/monographieFr2012/monographie%202012.pdf</a>.</p

Five-year prevalence proportions for all cancers in area of Eastern Morocco as compared to other North African countries.

<p>Five-year prevalence proportions for all cancers in area of Eastern Morocco as compared to other North African countries.</p

Trends in the five-year prevalence proportions by area of Eastern Morocco.

<p>Trends in the five-year prevalence proportions by area of Eastern Morocco.</p

Mean age at diagnosis and sex ratio for all cancers combined by area of Eastern Morocco, October 2005–December 2012.

<p>Mean age at diagnosis and sex ratio for all cancers combined by area of Eastern Morocco, October 2005–December 2012.</p

Total and five-year prevalence proportions by area of Eastern Morocco.

<p>Total and five-year prevalence proportions by area of Eastern Morocco.</p