Amman, Feb. 3 (Petra) – The Higher Population Council (HPC) revealed Tuesday that the rising trajectory of cancer diagnoses in the Kingdom is largely a function of rapid population growth and the increased efficacy of early detection protocols, which now identify the disease in its asymptomatic stages.

The statement was issued in observance of World Cancer Day, held annually on February 4th. This year's global campaign, themed "United by Unique," focuses on addressing the systemic inequities in cancer care and mobilizing collective action to reduce the disease’s burden.

The HPC emphasized that global medical consensus identifies a significant portion of cancer cases as preventable through risk-mitigation strategies.

Furthermore, the council highlighted that clinical outcomes improve exponentially when the disease is intercepted early, underscoring that strategic investment in screening and timely intervention is the most direct path to safeguarding public health and enhancing the quality of life for patients and their families.

The National Cancer Registry, managed by the Ministry of Health’s Non-Communicable Diseases Directorate, remains the primary authority for the surveillance and classification of oncology data.

According to the Ministry’s 2022 benchmarks, Jordan recorded 10,775 new cases, with Jordanians comprising 81.2% of the total. The data reflects a gender-specific variance, with females accounting for 54.1% of cases compared to 45.9% for males, resulting in an incidence rate of approximately 112 cases per 100,000 Jordanians.

Statistical breakdowns identify breast cancer as the most prevalent malignancy at 20.1% of all cases, followed by gastrointestinal cancers (18.9%), respiratory system cancers (9.4%), and urinary tract cancers (7.9%). Gender-specific data shows that lung cancer is the primary diagnosis among males (12.9%), while breast cancer represents a significant 36.8% of all female diagnoses.

In the pediatric demographic (under 15 years), cases accounted for 3.6% of the national total, with leukemia (24.4%), central nervous system tumors (20.2%), and lymphomas (18.3%) emerging as the most frequent types. The HPC attributed these gender and age disparities to a complex interplay of biological, hormonal, and socio-behavioral factors, including occupational exposure and lifestyle choices.

The Council concluded by calling for a multi-sectoral approach to dismantle barriers to care – such as psychological stigma, misinformation, and geographic or financial constraints. It urged the reinforcement of the family’s role in encouraging regular check-ups and emphasized the necessity of promoting healthy lifestyles, including tobacco cessation and physical activity.

By strengthening rapid referral systems and expanding palliative care, the HPC aims to ensure a sustainable and equitable national response to cancer in line with global health standards.

//Petra// AA

03/02/2026 12:07:15