Cancer risks in Nairobi (2000–2014) by ethnic group

Abstract

We investigated the ethnic differences in the risk of several cancers in the population of Nairobi, Kenya, using data from the Nairobi Cancer Registry. The registry records the variable "Tribe" for each case, a categorisation that includes, as well as 22 tribal groups, categories for Kenyans of European and of Asian origin, and non-Kenyan Africans. Tribes included in the final analysis were Kikuyu, Kamba, Kisii, Kalenjin, Luo, Luhya, Somalis, Asians, non-Kenyans, Caucasians, Other tribes and unknown. The largest group was taken as the reference category for the calculation of odds ratios; this was African Kenyans (for comparisons by race), and Kikuyus (the tribe with the largest numbers of cancer registrations (38% of the total)) for comparisons between the Kenyan tribes. P-values are obtained from the Wald test. Cancers that were more common among the white population than in black Kenyans were skin cancers and cancers of the bladder, while cancers that are more common in Kenyan Asians include colorectal, lung, breast, ovary, corpus uteri and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. Cancers that were less common among Asians and Caucasians were oesophagus, stomach and cervix cancer. Within the African population, there were marked differences in cancer risk by tribe. Among the tribes of Bantu ethnicity, the Kamba had higher risks of melanoma, Kaposi sarcoma, liver and cervix cancer, and lower risks of oesophagus, stomach, corpus uteri and nervous system cancers. Luo and Luhya had much higher odds of Kaposi sarcoma and Burkitt lymphoma.

Cancer incidence in Northern Uganda (2013–2016)

“…Cancer of the cervix, although caused by infection with HPV viruses, is also associated with HIV infection. It is interesting that the Luo of Kenya, ethnically and culturally close to the population of the Gulu registry area, have been observed to have a high risk of cervix cancer (and Burkitt lymphoma) . The low prevalence of circumcision in the Luo (and in Mid Northern Uganda) has been postulated to favour transmission of HIV (and HPV).…”

“…It is interesting that the Luo of Kenya, ethnically and culturally close to the population of the Gulu registry area, have been observed to have a high risk of cervix cancer (and Burkitt lymphoma). 15 The low prevalence of circumcision in the Luo (and in Mid Northern Uganda 14 ) has been postulated to favour transmission of HIV (and HPV). There are no systematic screening programmes for cancer of the cervix in the area served by the registry.…”

Pilot study assessing the direct medical cost of treating patients with cancer in Kenya; findings and implications for the future

“…Among women in Kenya, breast cancer (34 cases per 100,000) and cervical cancer (25 per 100,000) are the leading cancers, with prostate cancer (17 cases per 100,000) and esophageal cancer (9 cases per 100,000) the leading cancers in men (6). There are though appreciable differences in incidence rates among the different ethnic groups in Kenya (9). For children, the most common cancers are leukemia, brain and other central nervous system cancer, and lymphomas.…”

Estimation of associations between 10 common gene polymorphisms and gastric cancer: evidence from a meta-analysis

“…Although we still did not figure out the exact mechanisms of its pathogenesis, it was evident that genetic components were essential in the development of GC. First, the incidences of GC in different populations vary significantly,3–5 and different genetic background was probably one of the reasons behind differences in disease prevalence across different populations. Second, numerous susceptible genetic loci of GC were also identified and validated by previous genetic association studies 6 7…”