Incidence and Mortality of Cancers Related to Secondhand Smoking in Southeast Asia Countries

Abstract

Background: Secondhand smoke has been a big problem for human being worldwide as it is well-established<br />risk factors for cancers. ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) bear high burden of cancers since the high<br />prevalence of secondhand smoke. The objective of this study is to estimate the burden of cancer attributable to secondhand<br />smoking in ASEAN. Methods: This research was using descriptive epidemiological incidence and prevalence-based<br />research design, with cancers incidence and mortality data gained from GLOBOCAN 2012. Secondhand smoke<br />attributable fractions (SAFs) of six cancers (lung, bladder, colorectal, stomach, pancreas and larynx) were estimated<br />and burden of cancers caused by secondhand smoking in ASEAN were calculated in term of incidence and mortality.<br />Results: Secondhand smoking estimated for 453,562 cancer cases and 323,284 of total cancer mortality in 2012. The<br />number of incidence and death of lung cancer attributable to secondhand smoking show the highest number compared<br />with other type of cancers. Furthermore, we found that the number of cancer cases and cancer deaths attributable to<br />secondhand smoking varied by each countries due to differences in size of population, various background risk of the<br />cancer, and prevalence of secondhand smoking in each country. Conclusion: Secondhand smoking has been a risk factor<br />for about two-fifth of cancer incidence and mortality in ASEAN. Therefore, ASEAN member countries are strongly<br />encouraged to put in place stronger tobacco control policies and to strengthen the existing tobacco control measure in<br />order to decrease the number of secondhand smokers and more effectively control cancers.