Distribution of Cancer of the Skin and Cancer of the Urinary Bladder in Jamaica 2008

Abstract

LA Mclish

Objective: To examine the distribution of cancer of the skin and cancer of the urinary bladder in Jamaica 2008.

Methods: The study included all fourteen parishes. Data was obtained from the Jamaica Cancer Registry located in the Pathology Department of the University of the West Indies. Population denominators were obtained from the 2011 census taken by the Statistical Institute of Jamaica. The statistical package which was used to analyze the data was SPSS.

Results: The age distribution of cancer of the skin in Jamaica 2008 revealed that the highest frequencies occurred in the age group 45 years to 84 years when both genders were considered together. The results also showed that after age 85 years the risk of developing cancer diminishes. The crude incidence rate (CIR) of melanoma in males in Jamaica 2008 was determined to be 2.6 and in females 2.5. These crude incidence rates were comparable to Southern Africa. This present study determined the mean age for developing cancer of the skin was 60.8 years when both genders are considered. This reveals that the risk of developing melanoma increases with age. Based on the CIR the distribution of melanoma across some parishes was the following. In decreasing order Kingston and St. Andrew (6.2), St. Mary (2.6), St. Ann (2.3), St. Catherine (2.1) and St. Thomas (2.1).

In the case of urinary bladder cancer (UBC), the highest frequency occurred in the age group 60 years to 84 years. The mean age for developing UBC was 70.7 years in Jamaica 2008. The CIR of UBC in men in Jamaica 2008 was 2.8 while in the case of women it was 0.8, (male/female ratio, 3.5).The CIR ratio was comparable to the probability ratio in the United States of America in 2018. The distribution of UBC was examined across all parishes using the CIR as a means of comparing objectively. When ranked in descending order it was Kingston and St. Andrew (3.3), St. Mary (2.6), St. Catherine (2.5), Portland (2.4) and St. Ann (1.7). It should also be emphasized of the 48 persons who were diagnosed with UBC, 6 were smokers and only 1 was female. Hence in Jamaica 2008 smoking does not appear to be a primary risk factor in developing UBC.

Conclusion: The health administrators should promote primary prevention to reduce the financial burdens associated with developing cancers taking into account the age groups when these cancers become more prevalent and the geographical locations where the CIR is high. This is especially important in the case of UBC.

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