Epidemiological Analysis of Prostatic Cancer: Incidence, Prevalence, Mortality, and Disability Burden in Middle Eastern Countries

Abstract

Prostatic cancer is considered the second most common cancer among men worldwide. It has significant geographical variability in its burden. Using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database, this review aimed to analyze the epidemiological burden of prostatic cancer in 14 Middle Eastern countries. The data of incidence, prevalence, mortality, and age-standardized disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) were analyzed. Compared to the global average rate of 33.449 per 100,000, our results showed that the Middle East reports a lower average incidence rate of 17.297 per 100,000 population. However, outliers such as Lebanon (64.381 per 100,000) and Turkey (52.166 per 100,000) exhibit a significantly higher burden. Mortality and age-standardized DALYs also highlight disparities, with Lebanon and Turkey recorded a higher values compared to other regional counterparts. Conversely, countries like Oman and Yemen reported the lowest rates, potentially reflecting underdiagnosis or limited healthcare access. The results underscore the importance of enhancing early detection programs, such as prostate-specific antigen (PSA) testing, and addressing modifiable risk factors, including smoking and obesity. By bridging gaps in data and healthcare access, this research highlights critical areas for policy interventions and targeted public health strategies to reduce the burden of prostatic cancer in the region. The findings provide valuable insights to inform regional healthcare planning and resource allocation, contributing to a broader understanding of global prostatic cancer epidemiology.