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Background: Cervical cancer is a major global health concern, disproportionately affecting women in developing countries. Cervical cancer has two primary subtypes, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and adenocarcinoma (AC), each with distinct characteristics and screening effectiveness. In this study, we aimed to estimate the global incidence of cervical cancer according to histological subtype to inform prevention strategies. Methods: Using data from population-based cancer registries, we computed the rates of SCC, AC, and other specified histology among all cervical cancer cases by country and by 5-year age group. Proportions were subsequently applied to the estimated number of cervical cancer cases from the Global Cancer Observatory 2020. Age-standardized incidence rates were calculated. Results: SCC accounted for 82.72% of global cervical cancer cases, with AC contributing 12.18%. The highest SCC incidence was in Sub-Saharan Africa (29.79 per 100,000 population). The AC incidence was highest in South-Eastern Asia (3.67 per 100,000 population). Age-specific trends showed SCC peaking at approximately age 55 years and AC plateauing after age 45 years. Conclusions: This study provided a comprehensive estimate of cervical cancer incidence by histological subtype. SCC remained the dominant subtype globally, whereas the incidence of AC varied across regions. These findings highlighted the need for tailored prevention strategies, especially testing for human papillomavirus to detect AC in high burden areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Previous observational studies showed that serum uric acid (SUA) was associated with prostate cancer, but the causal relationship is unclear. This study aimed to explore the potential causal association between SUA and prostate cancer risk using Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses in the East Asian populations. Methods: Publicly available summary-level genome-wide association studies (GWAS) data on SUA were obtained from a genome-wide meta-analysis of three Japanese cohorts (121,745 subjects). The GWAS data on prostate cancer were derived from Biobank Japan (109,347 subjects with 5,408 cases and 103,939 controls). A total of 34 SUA-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (P value < 5 × 10–8) were identified as instrumental variables. The inverse variance weighted method was used as the primary method to compute the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for per standard deviation increase in SUA. MR Egger, weighted median, and weighted mode were also applied to test the robustness of the results. Results: Genetically predicted SUA was positively associated with prostate cancer risk using inverse variance weighted (OR = 1.12; 95% CI 1.00–1.26; P = 0.043). The positive association was robust when MR Egger (OR = 1.16; 95% CI 1.01–1.34; P = 0.048), weighted median (OR = 1.18; 95% CI 1.03–1.36; P = 0.018), and weighted mode (OR = 1.14; 95% CI 1.01–1.29; P = 0.041) were used. Conclusion: There were potential causal associations between higher genetically predicted SUA levels and increased prostate cancer risk. Further, MR studies with more valid SNPs and more cancer cases are needed. Validation of the findings is also recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: There is a scarcity of economic analysis on the use of non-invasive biomarkers to inform policy-making with respect to their application in population-based colorectal cancer (CRC) screening programs. The objective of this study is to conduct a comparative cost-effectiveness analysis on using M3CRC (m3 + Fn + Ch + Bc + FIT) as a primary test for population-based screening, when compared with FIT and colonoscopy. The study can provide economic analysis regarding the use of non-invasive biomarkers in population-based CRC screening programs. This study aimed to examine the cost-effectiveness of fecal biomarker M3 panel compared to fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and colonoscopy in an Asian population. In a hypothetical population of 100,000 persons aged 50 years who received FIT yearly, M3 biomarker yearly, or colonoscopy every 10 years until the age of 75 years. Participants with positive FOBT or a result of "high risk" identified using the M3 biomarker are offered colonoscopy. We assumed surveillance colonoscopy is repeated every 3 years, and examined the treatment cost. A comparison of various outcome measures was conducted using Markov modelling. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of FIT, M3 biomarker, and colonoscopy was USD108,176, USD133,485 and USD159,596, respectively. Comparing with FIT, the use of M3 biomarker could lead to significantly smaller total loss of cancer-related life-years (2783 vs. 5279); a higher number of CRC cases prevented (1622 vs. 146), a higher proportion of CRC cases prevented (50.2% vs. 4.5%), more life-years saved (2852 vs. 339), and cheaper total costs per life-year saved (USD212,553 vs. 773,894). The total costs per life-year saved is more affordable than that achieved by colonoscopy as a primary screening tool (USD212,553 vs. USD236,909). The findings show that M3 biomarkers may be more cost-effective than colonoscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses enhancing cancer control in primary care in Asia by increasing screening awareness by involving the community, non-government organisations, and spokespersons, including experience sharing by cancer survivors. It also emphasizes the need to provide interdisciplinary care to participants for cancer screening. Promotion of cancer screening based on interventions that increase perceived behavioural control and intention could also potentially enhance screening uptake.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the updated burden and temporal trends of cancer incidence and mortality in Asian countries., Methodology: The data used in this study were retrieved from the Global Cancer Observatory, Cancer Incidence in Five Continents volumes I-XI, and the World Health Organization mortality database. These data were used to calculate the Average Annual Percentage Change (AAPC), with a 95% confidence interval (CI) by joinpoint regression analysis to determine the epidemiological trend in the past decade., Results: In 2020, the cancer incidence in Asia was 169.1 per 1 00 000, accounting for 49.3% of the global cancer incidence. The most common cancers included lung (13.8%), breast (10.8%) and colorectal (10.6%) cancers. Its mortality was 101.6 per 1 00 000 (58.3% of the global cancer death) with lung (19.2%), liver (10.5%) and stomach (9.9%) cancers being the most common causes of cancer death. The cancer incidence had been increasing in female population, with Korea (AAPC = 5.73, 95% CI [5.30, 6.17], P < .001), Japan (AAPC = 2.67, 95% CI [2.12, 3.23], P < .001) and Kuwait (AAPC = 2.08, 95% CI [.49, 3.69], P = .016) showing the most significant increases in the past decade. The incidence increase was also observed among population aged <40 years old, with Korea (female AAPC = 8.42, 95% CI [7.40, 9.45], P < .001; male AAPC = 5.28, 95% CI [4.23, 6.33], P <.001), China (female AAPC = 2.94, 95% CI [2.07, 3.81], P < .001; male AAPC = 1.37, 95% CI [.57, 2.18], P = .004) and Japan (female AAPC = 2.88, 95% CI [1.88, 3.88], P = .016; male AAPC = 1.59, 95% CI [.40, 2.78], P = .015) showing the most significant increases. However, there was an overall decreasing trend of cancer mortality., Conclusions: There was a substantial burden of cancer incidence and mortality in Asia. Although there was a decreasing trend in cancer mortality, its incidence had been increasing especially among female and younger populations. Future studies could be done to further investigate the potential reasons for these epidemiologic trends.

There are minimal data regarding the prevalence of cancer in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), as well as the incidence of severe illness and rate of mortality in COVID-19 patients with cancer. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were systematically searched, from database inception to July 15, 2020, for studies of patients with COVID-19 that included information regarding comorbid cancer. In total, 109 eligible global studies were included in this systematic review. Ninety studies with 94,845 COVID-19 patients, among which 4106 exhibited comorbid cancer, were included in the meta-analysis regarding prevalence of comorbid cancer. Twenty-three studies with 71,969 COVID-19 patients, among which 4351 with comorbid cancer had severe illness or death, were included in the meta-analysis. The overall prevalence of cancer among COVID-19 patients was 0.07 (95% CI 0.05-0.09). The cancer prevalence in COVID-19 patients was higher in Europe (0.22, 95% CI 0.17-0.28) than in the Asia-Pacific region (0.04, 95% CI 0.03-0.06) or North America (0.05, 95% CI 0.04-0.06). The cancer prevalence in COVID-19 patients aged >60 years was 0.10 (95% CI 0.07-0.14), while the prevalence among patients aged ≤60 years was 0.05 (95% CI 0.03-0.06). The pooled prevalence of severe illness among COVID-19 patients with cancer was 0.34 (95% CI 0.26-0.42) and the pooled mortality rate of COVID-19 patients with cancer was 0.20 (95% CI 0.16-0.25). Pooled incidences of severe illness among COVID-19 patients with cancer from Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America were 0.38 (95% CI 0.24-0.52), 0.39 (95% CI 0.25-0.53), and 0.26 (95% CI 0.20-0.31), respectively; pooled mortality rates from the Asia-Pacific region, Europe, and North America were 0.17 (95% CI 0.10-0.24), 0.26 (95% CI 0.18-0.35), and 0.19 (95% CI 0.13-0.25), respectively., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background & Aims: We studied incidence and mortality trends of colorectal cancer (CRC) in 39 countries according to age, sex, and anatomic location (colon vs rectum)., Methods: We retrieved incidence data from registries from 36 countries. The registries included the following: Cancer Incidence in 5 Continents volumes I to XI; the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program of the National Cancer Institute; and the Nordic Cancer Registries from Europe. We obtained mortality data from 39 countries of the World Health Organization database. We evaluated average annual percentage changes in CRC incidence and mortality in the past decade using joinpoint regression analysis., Results: From 2007 to 2016, 2006 to 2015, or 2005 to 2014, depending on the availability of the data, the incidence of colon cancer increased in 10 of 36 countries analyzed (all in Asia or Europe); India had the greatest increase, followed by Poland. All 10 of these countries have medium to high Human Development Index (HDI) scores. Six countries had a decrease in colon cancer incidence; these countries had the highest HDI scores; the United States had the greatest decrease, followed by Israel. Seven countries (including all countries from Northern America) had a decrease in incidence among persons older than 50 years. Eight countries had an increase in colon cancer incidence among persons younger than 50 years, including the United Kingdom and India. Countries with a decreased or stable incidence among persons 50 years or older but a significant increase in persons younger than 50 years, included Germany, Australia, the United States, Sweden, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Only Italy had a decrease in CRC incidence among persons younger than 50 years. Among women, 12 of 36 countries (all from Asia and Europe) had an increase in colon cancer incidence and 7 countries had a decrease; India had the greatest increase followed by Slovenia. Five of 36 countries had an increase in incidence of rectal cancer and 8 countries had a decrease; Ecuador and Thailand had the greatest increases in incidence. The incidence of rectal cancer among persons younger than 50 years increased significantly in Finland, Australia, Canada, the United States, and The Netherlands. Four countries had an increase in the incidence of rectal cancer in women; Ecuador had the greatest increase followed by Thailand. The incidence of rectal cancer in women decreased in 8 countries. Among women younger than 50 years, rectal cancer incidence increased, despite a decrease in women older than 50 years, in Costa Rica, Slovenia, Japan, Slovakia, Canada, and the United States there was an increase in incidence, although their elder population had a stable or decreased incidence. Twenty-four countries reported a reduction in CRC mortality, including North America, Oceania, and most European countries. Nevertheless, some countries from Asia, Latin America, and Southern Europe had significant increases in CRC mortality., Conclusions: In an analysis of incidence and mortality databases from 39 countries, we found that the incidence of colon and rectal cancers has continued to increase in countries with medium to high HDI and in younger populations. Preventive strategies are needed for countries with increasing CRC and rectal cancer incidence and mortality., (Copyright © 2021 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

This Review presents current epidemiological trends of the most common liver diseases in Asia-Pacific countries. Hepatitis B virus (HBV) remains the primary cause of cirrhosis; despite declining prevalence in most Asian nations, this virus still poses a severe threat in some territories and regions. Mortality resulting from HBV infection is declining as a result of preventive measures and antiviral treatments. The epidemiological transition of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has varied in the region in the past few decades, but the medical burden of infection and the prevalence of its related cancers are increasing. The lack of licensed HCV vaccines highlights the need for novel treatment strategies. The prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has risen in the past decade, mostly owing to increasingly urbanized lifestyles and dietary changes. Alternative herbal medicine and dietary supplements are major causes of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) in some countries. Complications arising from these chronic liver diseases, including cirrhosis and liver cancer, are therefore emerging threats in the Asia-Pacific region. Key strategies to control these liver diseases include monitoring of at-risk populations, implementation of national guidelines and increasing public and physician awareness, in concert with improving access to health care.