Cancer epidemiology literature from India: Does it reflect the reality?. (27th December 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Deepa, K V; Venghateri, Jubina Balan; Khajanchi, Monty; Gadgil, Anita; Roy, Nobhojit
• Is Part Of: Journal of public health. Volume 42:Number 4(2020:Dec.)
• Page Start: e421
• Page End: e427
• Publication Date: 2019-12-27
• Subjects: cancer -- epidemiology -- incidence -- India -- risk factors; Public health -- Periodicals; Public health -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Periodicals; Medical policy -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 362.1
• DOI: 10.1093/pubmed/fdz160
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1741-3842

Abstract

Abstract: Background: The alarming escalation of cancers over infectious diseases in the lower and middle-income countries warrants a better understanding of this epidemiological transition. The epidemiology of cancers in India is sparsely addressed in the literature. Hence, in this manuscript, we present the review done, on research manuscripts, addressing cancer incidence, trends and risk factors from India over the last 12 years. Studies addressing screening, treatment and clinical trials were excluded. Methods: We evaluated the studies for the theme addressed, study design, sample size, the region of origin and whether it was population or hospital-based study. Results: The studies highlighted a significant shortage of multicenter population-based data in the incidence and risk factors associated with various malignancies in India. Further, we also observed that there was a relative lack of information from the northern and northeastern parts of India. The reviewed articles also indicated the need for a robust design for the studies, large sample size and uniformity in reporting incidence for appropriately drawing conclusions from a study. Reporting of country-specific risk factors with their geographical variations was also sparse. Conclusion: Overall, the cancer epidemiology literature from India is sparse. More studies with robust designs representing all parts of the country are currently needed.