Estimating the burden of cancer attributable to tobacco in Bangladesh in 2020

Background

Information on the attributable fraction (AF) of cancer in Bangladesh is scarce. We aimed at estimating the AF of tobacco-related cancer in Bangladesh in 2020.

Methods

Data on prevalence of tobacco use (smokeless, smoking products, and second-hand smoke [SHS]) were derived from the Global Adult Tobacco Survey report (2009), while data on relative risks were derived from meta-analyses and large-scale Indian studies. The GLOBOCAN 2020 database was used to obtain the number of cancer cases and deaths. Concomitant use of both tobacco products was accounted for. Sex-specific and combined estimates were calculated, based on the counterfactual scenario of no exposure to tobacco.

Results

Smokeless tobacco was primarily responsible for oral (55.3 %), esophageal (37.1 %), laryngeal (33.4 %) and pharyngeal (31.5 %) cancer. Cigarette smoking was responsible mainly for esophageal (40.1 %), pancreatic (34.2 %) and lung (26.0 %) cancer, while bidi caused mainly pharyngeal (49.2 %), laryngeal (36.4 %) and esophageal (33.3 %) cancer. Overall, smokeless tobacco caused 14.6 % of cases and 15.1 % of deaths, while cigarette smoking caused 11.8 % of cases and 15.3 % of deaths and bidi smoking 14.1 % of cases and 15.8 % of deaths. SHS caused 0.10 % and 0.13 % of cases and deaths respectively. The combined use of tobacco products particularly contributed to esophageal and pancreatic cancers.

Conclusions

Tobacco was a major cause of cancer in Bangladesh in 2020, with smokeless and bidi smoking overcoming cigarette’s contribution. Its control would greatly reduce cancer burden.