Incidence of Genital Cancer among Women in Iraq

Abstract

The incidence of genital malignant diseases among Iraqi women is reviewed from 2013-2022 in various Iraqi provinces. The incidence rates are also illustrated in relation to age, site of cancer and year of registration. Incidence rate differs widely in relation to locality, age and race. The cause is not known till now but many factors have been mentioned as Iraq exposed to the Iraq-Iran war, gulf war and the usage of uranium weapon in the south part of Iraq. In addition, oil wheel fire in gulf war in south of Basrah, as well as the pollution caused by cars and generators for electricity production that expected to have an effect on the increased cancer rate in Iraq. Old age is important risk factor for cancer. Approximately half of all malignancies are detected in patients older than 65 years. The low activity of immune system with age is reflected in the increase susceptibility to disease, poor response to vaccination, auto-immune disease and other chronic diseases might have a vital role on the increased rate of malignancy. Aging also characterized by impaired normal physiological functions. All authors in Iraq has indicated the highest incidence observed in this review was ovarian and cervical cancers while the rarest was vaginal, vulvar and fallopian tube cancer. So, encouraging women for continuous medical consultation for early detection of any genital malignancies especially for patients with family history of a such diseases is indicated.