Patterns of Cancer Occurrence in Nepal

Abstract

Background: Cancer is a public health problem throughout the world and Nepal is not an exception. Actual information on pattern of cancer morbidity and mortality is possible only from population-based registry, which unfortunately is lacking in Nepal. Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the pattern of cancer occurrence in Nepal with respect to different pertinent variables. Methods: A descriptive cross sectional study was done among 198 admitted patients from Bhaktapur Cancer Hospital using semi-structured interview schedule. Data entry and analysis was done on IBM SPSS V20. Descriptive statistical measures were employed. Results: This study showed that cancer was seen in advanced age group with no sex wise variations. Majority was married, literate, from rural area, of upper caste and upper lower socioeconomic status. Cancer of lung, rectum and bile duct were more frequent in males in contrary to that of breast, ovary and cervix in females. Malignant neoplasm of digestive organs in males and that of female genital organs in females were the commonest to occur according to ICD-10 classification. Conclusions: Cancer is rapidly emerging non-communicable disease throughout the world. Despite lack of population based disease registry, patterns of disease from this hospital study emphasize prioritizing the health promotive activities against cancer in the general population.