Epidemiology of Cancers in Zambia: A Significant Variation in Cancer Incidence and Prevalence across the Nation

Background: Cancers are one of the leading causes of death worldwide. More than two thirds of deaths due to cancers occur in low- and middle- income countries whereZambia belongs. This study therefore sought to assess the epidemiology of cancers in Zambia. Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study nested on Zambia National Cancer Registry (ZNCR) histopathological and clinical data from 2007 to 2014.Zambia Central Statistics Office (CSO)demographic datawere used to calculate prevalence and incidence rates of cancers. Age-adjusted rates and case fatality rates were estimated using standard methods. We used a Poisson Approximation for calculating 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: The top seven most cancer prevalent districts in Zambia have been Luangwa, Kabwe, Lusaka, Monze, Mongu, Katete and Chipata. Cervical cancer, prostate cancer, breast cancer and Kaposi’s sarcoma were the top four most prevalent cancers as well as major causes of cancer related deaths in Zambia.Standardised Incidence Rates and 95% CI for the top four cancers were: cervix uteri (186.3; CI = 181.77 – 190.83), prostate (60.03; CI = 57.03 – 63.03), breast (38.08; CI = 36.0 – 40.16) and Kaposi’s sarcoma (26.18; CI = 25.14 – 27.22).CFR were: Leukaemia (38.1%); pancreatic cancer (36.3%); lung cancer (33.3%); and brain, nervous system (30.2%). Cancers were associated with HIV with p- value of 0.000 and Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.818. Conclusions: The widespread distribution of cancers with high prevalence in the southern zone has been perpetrated by lifestyle and sexual culture as well as geography. Intensifying cancer screening and early detection countrywide as well as changing the lifestyle and sexual culture would greatly help in the reduction of cancer cases in Zambia.