Epidemiology of Prostate Cancer In North-West – Bank, Palestine 1998-2006

Onjective: To evaluate the magnitude of prostate cancer in the North West-Bank, and to shade light on risk factors affecting its distribution. Design /Methods: In a descriptive and retrospective study, we conducted a large study among hospitalized patients. Data were collected from Teaching Hospitals (Al Watani, Beit Jala and Jinnen hospitals), during the period (1998-2006). The total population number were 750.000, of whom 70.000 men, 40 years or older were our target. Analysis based on patient admissions, and statistical methods were (ANOVA Test, T-test, Correlation, Chi squire test, Descriptive statistics and frequencies and percentile methods). Results: 78 prostate cancers were reported with incidence rate of 10.4 per 100.000 populations. We revealed that the majority of patients (64.1%) were diagnosed in Nablus and the lowest (6.4%) in Tulkarem city The highest percentage was among: [Non-smokers vs. smokers (61.5% vs 37.2% respectively), industrial workers vs. Doctors (42.3% vs 5.1%), families of seven children or over vs. less than three (56.4% vs. 5.1%), patients over 65 years, with high PSA serum levels (20ng/ml or over), (64.1%)]. Person Chi Square df, significant values of PSA categorized and dependent variables (Occupation, no. of children and Age), showed a Pearson correlation and statistical significance at P-Value = 0.05 which was respectively (0.016, 0.018, 0.003). Significant relationship was found between age and infection (P-value = 0.032) and between cancer stage and age (0.021). Conclusion: Prostatic carcinoma in the West-Bank, disproportionately strikes in different towns in West-Bank, with high prevalence in Nablus and low prevalence in Tulkarem. This prevalence is low compared to Western Countries despite the high intake of calories