jordan pulse -

The increase in cancer cases in Jordan is largely driven by population growth and the expansion of early screening programmes that enable detection before symptoms appear, the Higher Population Council (HPC) said on Tuesday.

In a statement issued to mark World Cancer Day on February 4, the council cited the Ministry of Health’s 2022 report, which recorded 10,775 new cancer cases in Jordan, 81.2 per cent of them among Jordanians, the Jordan News Agency, Petra, reported.

Females represented a higher share of cases than males, at 54.1 per cent compared with 45.9 per cent, while the incidence rate among Jordanians stood at around 112 cases per 100,000 population.

Breast cancer was the most prevalent type, accounting for 20.1 per cent of all cases among both sexes, followed by cancers of the digestive system at 18.9 per cent, the respiratory system at 9.4 per cent and the urinary system at 7.9 per cent, with notable differences between males and females.

Lung cancer ranked first among males, accounting for 12.9 per cent of male cases, while breast cancer represented 36.8 per cent of cases among females.

Cancer cases among children under the age of 15 were the lowest, totalling 312, or 3.6 per cent of all cases.

Leukaemia was the most common childhood cancer at 24.4 per cent, followed by brain and central nervous system tumours at 20.2 per cent and lymphomas at 18.3 per cent.

Cancer surveillance in Jordan is overseen by the National Cancer Registry, which operates under the Directorate of Non-Communicable Diseases at the Ministry of Health.

The registry collects and classifies data by age, sex, nationality and cancer type, with biennial reports helping guide health policy and set priorities based on accurate and reliable data.

HPC attributed differences between males and females in cancer types to biological, hormonal, behavioural and social factors, including variations in occupations and dietary patterns and their associated health risks.

It called for expanding access to early detection services and reducing barriers such as fear of the disease, limited information, service costs and geographic constraints.

The council also stressed the importance of promoting healthy lifestyles, including smoking cessation, regular physical activity and balanced nutrition, adherence to age- and risk-based screening guidelines.

HPC also called for faster referral for diagnosis and treatment when warning signs emerge, the development of palliative care, and stronger multi-sector partnerships involving health, education, media and civil society to ensure sustainable impact