Abstract 90: Beyond “Top Five Plus One” Cancers in South Africa: An Analysis of the 2022 Pathology-Based Registry Data

Abstract Purpose: The current National Cancer Strategic Framework for South Africa (NCSF 2017–2022) identifies the “top five plus one” priority cancers as breast, cervix, prostate, lung, colorectal, and childhood cancers. We aimed to explore the differences by gender, age group and ethnicity (population group) in the incidence of the most diagnosed cancers. Methods: De-identified data on pathologically diagnosed cancer cases in the most recently published report (2022) from the National Cancer Registry (NCR) were analyzed. The Age Standardized Incidence Rates (ASIR/100,000 population) were used to rank the most diagnosed cancers overall and stratified by gender and by population group. Results: Of the 41,860 males diagnosed with cancer, prostate cancer was the most common cancer (ASIR=52/100,000) followed by the following: colorectal (ASIR=11/100,000), lung (ASIR=7/100,000), melanoma (ASIR=5/100,000) and Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) (5/100,000). The ranking in 45,707 females with cancer was as follows: breast (ASIR (ASIR=36/100,000), cervical (ASIR=24/100,000), colorectal (ASIR=7/100,000), uterine (ASIR=6/100,000), and then both melanoma and NHL (ASIR=3/100,000). Melanoma ranked second in White females. Cervical cancer ranked top among Black females whereas breast cancer ranked top in White, Asian and Coloured female population groups. Oesophageal cancer and NHL ranked third and fifth in Black males and females respectively. Stomach cancer ranked fourth and fifth among Coloured and Asian males respectively. Uterine cancer ranked second among Asian females. There were more females than males diagnosed with cancer in those below 45 years old, with breast cancer and cervical cancer being diagnosed most. Cervical cancer was most common in the age group 30–44 years while breast cancer was most common among those above 50 years old. Prostate cancer was most common among 50-year-olds and above. Leukaemias and lymphomas were the most diagnosed cancers among children (0–14 years old). There were more boys than girls diagnosed with lymphomas and the reverse was true for cancers of the central nervous system. Conclusion: The disparities could be driven by socioeconomic factors, access to diagnostic services, healthcare provider/patient knowledge. There is need for more in-depth analysis of priority cancers by population group to inform priority settings for the NCSF, the National Health Insurance and cancer prevention and control programs for tailor-made interventions. Citation Format: Judith Mwansa-Kambafwile, Nkhensani Mhlanga, Ann Chao, Bilqees Sayed, Makandwe Nyirenda, Natasha Abraham, Mazvita Muchengeti. Beyond “Top Five Plus One” Cancers in South Africa: An Analysis of the 2022 Pathology-Based Registry Data [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 13th Annual Symposium on Global Cancer Research; 2025 Sep 16. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2025;34(12_Suppl):Abstract nr 90.