An Ambispective Community-Based Survival Study of Common Cancers in Rural Jodhpur, Rajasthan, Western India

TL;DR

This study examines cancer survival rates in rural India, finding that gastrointestinal cancers have the lowest survival and that treatment and follow-up are crucial for better outcomes.

Contribution

The study provides new survival data for common cancers in a rural Indian population and identifies key factors affecting survival.

Findings

Five-year survival for GI cancer was 0%, the lowest among cancers studied.

Changing hospitals frequently and lack of treatment were linked to lower survival.

Lost to follow-up patients had significantly worse survival outcomes.

Abstract

Background

Cancer is the leading cause of death globally. Information on cancer patterns and survival is essential for the effective planning and implementation of cancer control interventions.

Objective

This study aimed to identify various factors associated with the survival estimates of common cancers.

Methods

A community-based ambispective study was conducted in a rural population. Data were collected from individuals diagnosed with cancer or relatives of individuals who died of cancer. The total population covered was 82,983. All cancer cases diagnosed since 2005 and followed until the year 2020 were included. Survival analysis and five-year survival rates were estimated. A Cox proportional hazard model was used.

Results

A total of 146 cancer patients were included in the study. Five-year survival estimates for breast cancer, head and neck cancer, and GI cancer were 72%, 28%, and 0%, respectively. The median survival time was lowest for GI cancers (1 year), and for head and neck and breast cancers, it was 3 and 6 years, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression was performed, adjusting for age, type of hospital, alcohol use, tobacco use, opium use, gender, treatment sought, GI cancer, frequency of changing hospitals, and frequency of follow-up. After adjustment, changing hospitals ≥3 times, being lost to follow-up, receiving no treatment, tobacco abuse, and the presence of GI cancers were significantly associated with survival estimates.

Conclusions

The five-year survival estimate for GI cancers was the lowest compared to other cancers. Study participants who were lost to follow-up or who took no treatment were significantly associated with lower survival estimates.

Figures