New cases and age-standardized incidence rates of gastrointestinal cancers in Lorestan province, western Iran, 2019: a population-based study

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are among the most common cancers in the world, including Iran. This study aims to investigate the number of new cases and age-standardized incidence rates (ASIR) of GI cancers in Lorestan province, west of Iran, in 2019. In this population-based study, the data on GI cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC), gastric cancer (GC), esophageal cancer (EC), and small intestine cancer, were extracted from the National Population-Based Cancer Registry system, the Integrated Health System (SIB), and the National Death Registration System for 2019, along with demographic and clinical information at the time of diagnosis. The ASIR was calculated based on sex and city. There were 514 new cases of GI cancers (58% in men and 42% in women), including 267 cases of GC, 174 cases of CRC, 62 cases of EC, and only 11 new cases of small intestine cancer. Most of the patients with GI cancers were older adults (aged > 60 years). Overall, the ASIR of GI cancers in the province was 31.9 per 100,000 population (37.6 in men and 26.5 in women). The ASIRs for GC, CRC, and EC were 16.6, 10.4, and 4.1 per 100,000 population, respectively. The ASIR of GI cancers was higher in Dorud (65 per 100,000 population), Delfan (48.6 per 100,000 population) and Khorramabad (40.7 per 100,000 population) cities. The findings indicate a lower ASIR of GI cancers in Lorestan province, west of Iran, than in provinces located in the north and east of the country. However, targeted early screening of older adults for GC and CRC in identified high-risk cities of the province (Dorud, Delfan, and Khorramabad) should be strongly considered. Educational programs should be used to raise the awareness of people in these regions, considering the adverse effects of unhealthy lifestyles. The provincial policymakers should facilitate the accessibility of residents of high risk cities to cancer screening/treatment centers.