Breast Cancer in Surat Thani, a Province in Southern Thailand: Analysis of 2004-2012 Incidence and Future Trends

Abstract

Background: With the recent epidemiologic transition in Thailand, featuring decreasing incidences of infectious diseases along with increasing rates of chronic conditions, cancer is becoming a serious problem for the country. Breast cancer has the highest incidence rates among females, not only in the southern regions, but throughout Thailand. Surat Thani is a province in the upper part of Southern Thailand. A study was needed to identify the current burden, and the future trends of breast cancer. Materials and Methods: Here we used cancer incidence data from the Surat Thani Cancer Registry to characterize the incidences of breast cancer. Joinpoint analysis was used to investigate the incidences in the province from 2004 to 2012 and to project future trends from 2013 to 2030. Results: Age-standardized incidence rates (world) of breast cancer in the upper parts of Southern Thailand increased from 35.1 to 59.2 cases per 100,000 female population, which is equivalent to an annual percentage change of 4.5-4.8%. Linear drift effects played a role in shaping the increase of incidence. Joinpoint projection suggested that incidence rates would continue to increase in the future with incidence for women aged 50 and above, at a higher rate than for women below the age of 50. Conclusions: The current early detection measures increase detection rates of early disease. Preparation of a budget for treatment facilities and human resources, both in surgical and medical oncology, is essential.

Subtypes of Breast Cancer in Lao P.D.R.: A Study in a Limited-Resource Setting

“…The Ministry of Health of Thailand recommends that women aged 25 years and older have knowledge of breast self-examination. Although this cannot reduce the mortality rate from breast cancer, it would increase the self-awareness to get regular breast checkups, such as mammography (Tassanasunthornwong et al, 2015). Laos should also promote this model, since breast cancer screening cannot cover the whole population, and women might have to pay to get tested.…”

National and Subnational Population-Based Incidence of Cancer in Thailand: Assessing Cancers with the Highest Burdens

“…Excluding melanoma, these five cancers accounted for 59.2% of incidence, 63.1% of mortality and 54.3% of 5-year prevalence in 2012 [ 1 ]. While these national estimates are useful in highlighting important cancers on a large scale, there is clear variability in the incidence of these cancers across the north, northeast, central and south regions [ 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Effective management of these cancers and attenuation of the future burden requires subnational estimates to determine differences in incidence by region.…”

Systematic review of the use of big data to improve surgery in low- and middle-income countries

“…). Following assessment, 68 articles, involving 708 032 patients across 71 LMICs, were included in the review ( Tables S1 and S2 , supporting information). Country‐specific patient numbers were reported in 60 studies but were absent from six and two provided total LMIC patient numbers only.…”

“…Outcomes following cancer surgery were common topics, including breast, gastric, colorectal and prostate cancer, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Cardiac surgery, caesarean section and genitourinary fistula were also well represented in included articles, whereas clinical presentations included burn management, trauma, appendicitis, groin hernias and orthopaedic fracture management.…”