P2364 - Evaluating Trends of Colorectal Cancer Publications in Africa and Correlation With Global Cancer Observatory Epidemiological Data

Ethan F. Pearlstein, MD¹, Nkengeh N. Tazinkeng, ², Kelsey Sawyer, MS³, Whitney Mutalemwa, ⁴, Comfort Asante, MBChB⁵, Evaristus S. Chukwudike, MBBCh⁶, Pharidah Rajan Ibrahim Omar Sundi, MBChB⁷, Akwi W. Asombang, MD, MPH^1
1Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI; ²University of Buea, Buea, Sud-Ouest, Cameroon; ³Brown University, Providence, RI; ⁴Smith College, Northampton, MA; ⁵Ndola Teaching Hospital, Ndola, Copperbelt, Zambia; ⁶University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar, Cross River, Nigeria; ⁷Lusaka Apex Medical University, Chipata, Eastern, Zambia

Introduction: Epidemiological measures of incidence, prevalence, and mortality from colorectal cancer (CRC) vary within Africa. Our aim was to understand the current landscape of scholarship in the field of CRC in Africa, and whether publication volume or presence of a national cancer registry correlates with higher incidence, prevalence, or mortality in each country.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of CRC studies in Africa to obtain data on epidemiology and clinical factors. A non-systematic review was used to obtain data on incidence, prevalence and mortality from the Global Cancer Observatory (GCO) of the World Health Organization. We searched PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Central, Africa Index Medicus and African Journals Online from inception to April 2021 and reviewed articles retrieved. Inclusion criteria were CRC studies conducted in Africa, in English, that contained epidemiological and clinical data on human subjects. Abstracts and posters were included for analysis. Cancer registry data for each African country was obtained from the GCO and the African Cancer Registry Network.

Results: 2643 studies were screened. 812 studies from 37 countries met criteria and were included for analysis. Most studies (n= 527, 64.9%) were published from 2010-2019. The earliest studies were published in the 1960’s. Egypt had the most publications in the field of CRC (n= 150), followed by Nigeria (n= 127),Tunisia (n= 89), South Africa (n= 86), and articles which compared epidemiological data between an African and non-African country (n= 64). Most countries had either local or national cancer registries (35/54, 64.8%). Fewer countries (16/54, 29.6%) had a national cancer registry.

Discussion: The more cancer registries there are in a country, the more likely that country will have incidence, prevalence, and mortality data available (figure 1). There is a need for further research to determine country-level factors that drive the establishment of cancer registries and the ability of these countries to share epidemiological data on cancer.


Figure: Figure 1: Colorectal Cancer in Africa

Panel A: Incidence, Prevalence, and Mortality
Key A: (Incidence, Prevalence, Mortality)
Incidence: Estimated age-standardized incidence rate per 100,000 people.
Prevalence: Estimated five-year prevalence as a proportion per 100,000 people.
Mortality: Estimated age-standardized mortality rate per 100,000 people.

Panel B: Local and/or National Cancer Registry Presence
Key B:
Countries in Green: Yes
Countries in White: No


Disclosures:
Ethan Pearlstein indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Nkengeh Tazinkeng indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Kelsey Sawyer indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Whitney Mutalemwa indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Comfort Asante indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Evaristus Chukwudike indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Pharidah Rajan Ibrahim Omar Sundi indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Akwi Asombang indicated no relevant financial relationships.


Ethan F. Pearlstein, MD¹, Nkengeh N. Tazinkeng, ², Kelsey Sawyer, MS³, Whitney Mutalemwa, ⁴, Comfort Asante, MBChB⁵, Evaristus S. Chukwudike, MBBCh⁶, Pharidah Rajan Ibrahim Omar Sundi, MBChB⁷, Akwi W. Asombang, MD, MPH¹. P2364 - Evaluating Trends of Colorectal Cancer Publications in Africa and Correlation With Global Cancer Observatory Epidemiological Data, ACG 2021 Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts. Las Vegas, Nevada: American College of Gastroenterology.