The incidence of cancer has increased in Kazakhstan. The trend has been observed in cities; in rural areas, the number of cancer cases is decreasing, Energyprom.kz reported.
According to the Ministry of Health of Kazakhstan, last year, the incidence of cancer per 100 thousand people in cities was 239.2, compared to 230 a year earlier. The figures were significantly higher than the national average in the cities of several regions, including ecologically unfavorable ones: 353.5 in the Karaganda region, 352.7 in the Kostanay region, 349.4 in the East Kazakhstan region, and 302.4 in the Abay region.
In villages, the incidence of cancer last year was 147.1 per 100 thousand people (173.8 in 2023).
The total number of cancer patients in Kazakhstan last year was 230.9 thousand. Over the year, it increased by 12.8 thousand, or 5.8%.
Almaty, the country’s largest city, had the largest number of cancer patients — 34.2 thousand. However, the cancer incidence rate per 100 thousand people in Almaty is slightly below the national average.
The Karaganda region was second in terms of the number of cancer patients with 21.4 thousand. Astana was third with 16.8 thousand.
Medical statistics show that in 2024, the number of primary cancer patients (those who were diagnosed for the first time) decreased. The figure was 204.8 per 100 thousand people (208.6 a year earlier).
In absolute numbers, 41.3 thousand Kazakhstanis were diagnosed with cancer last year. The largest number was in Almaty (5.2 thousand people), Karaganda region (3.8 thousand people), and Astana (3 thousand people).
According to the Kazakh Ministry of Health, Kazakhstan ranked fifth among the CIS countries in terms of primary cancer incidence. The highest incidence rate with a first diagnosis was observed in Belarus: 646.9 per 100 thousand people. Russia was in second place (466.2), and Moldova was third (328.7).
Among the countries of Central Asia, Kazakhstan had the highest primary cancer incidence: 204.8 per 100 thousand people, compared to 86 in Kyrgyzstan, 74.1 in Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan, and 32.1 in Tajikistan.
As to the mortality rate from cancer, in 2024, this indicator in Kazakhstan increased from 65.1 to 68 per 100 thousand people.
