Five-year cancer survival rates in Monastir, Tunisia

Abstract Background Cancer is a major public health problem worldwide. To the best of our knowledge, there is no Tunisian population-based registry studies investigating cancer survival in Tunisia. The objectives of our study were to estimate the five-year cancer survival rates in the province of Monastir, Tunisia. Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study including patients originating from Monastir diagnosed with cancer between 2002 and 2014. Data were collected from the cancer register of the center. Patients were followed until December 2022. Results In total, 9318 cancer cases were identified of whom 5741 were included for the survival analysis. The 5-year cancer survival rate, all sites combined, was 46% (95% CI: 45-47.3). Among the 10 most frequent cancer sites in Monastir, cancers having the lowest 5-year survival rates were lung cancer in men (18.2% (95% CI: 15.6-20.7)) and stomach cancer in both sexes (32.1% (95% CI: 23.4-40.7) and 25.3% (95% CI: 16-34.5) in men and women respectively). The cancers with the highest 5-year survival rates among men were skin cancer (other than malignant melanoma) (64% (95% CI: 54.5-73.4)), prostate cancer (59.1% (95% CI:54.7-63.4)) and colon cancer (55.1% (95% CI: 47.7-62.4). In women, cervical cancer (70% (95% CI: 61.8-78.1), skin cancer (other than malignant melanoma) (66.2% (95% CI: 55.1-77.2) and breast cancer (63.8% (95% CI:58.8-67.7)) were those with the highest 5-year survival rates. Patients ≥ 65 years had the lowest 5-year survival rates for almost all cancer sites in both genders. Conclusions Our study has shown that cancer survival rates in Tunisia remain low compared to developed countries. The widespread implementation of cancer control programs including healthy lifestyle, education, screening and early detection are urgently needed. Key messages • The 5-year cancer survival rate, all sites combined, in Monastir was 46% (95% CI: 45-47.3). • Cancers with the lowest 5-year survival rates in Monastir were lung cancer in men and stomach cancer in both sexes.