Tumor size and stage of breast cancer in Côte d'Ivoire and Republic of Congo - Results from population-based cancer registries.

Purpose: Breast cancer is now the leading female cancer in sub-Saharan Africa, but there is relatively little information on breast cancer characteristics from this region. We studied, on a population basis, the size and stage of female breast cancer at diagnosis in Côte d'Ivoire and Republic of Congo.

Methods: Data on tumor size and stage of breast cancer at diagnosis were collected by population-based cancer registries in Abidjan (the capital of Côte d'Ivoire; 141 cases) and Brazzaville (the capital of Republic of Congo; 139 cases) from a random group of female breast cancer cases that were diagnosed in 2008-2009 using the same protocol.

Trends in the incidence of cancer in Kampala, Uganda 1991-2010.

The Kampala cancer registry is the longest established in Africa. Trends in incidence rates for a 20-year period (1991-2010) for Kyadondo County (Kampala city and a rural hinterland) illustrate the effects of changing lifestyles in urban Africa, and the effects of the epidemic of HIV-AIDS. There has been an overall increase in the risk of cancer during the period in both sexes, with incidence rates of major cancers such as breast and prostate showing particularly marked increases (3.

Reported cancer spending in relation to population characteristics, disease burden and service activity for primary care trusts in South East England.

Background: Since 2000 English cancer policy has directed extra funding towards improving cancer outcomes and quality of care. Few evaluations have related programme budget data on cancer spending to population differences, disease burden, outcome or service activity for cancer. We used existing routine data to explore these associations for 39 primary care trusts (PCTs) in South East England in 2005-2007.

The future burden of cancer in London compared with England.

Background: The future burden of cancer in England is predicted to increase by 33% by 2020. Those planning health services are often interested in predictions at a local level. This study aimed to estimate the future burden of cancer in London and compare this with estimates for England.

Certified causes of death in patients with mesothelioma in South East England.

Background: Mesothelioma is a highly fatal cancer that is caused by exposure to asbestos fibres. In many populations, the occurrence of mesothelioma is monitored with the use of mortality data from death certification. We examine certified causes of death of patients who have been diagnosed with mesothelioma, and assess the validity of death certification data as a proxy for mesothelioma incidence.