Objective: The objective of this study is to present a cross-sectional analysis of cancer burden in the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) region and explain unique characteristics of its cancer burden as compared with the rest of the world. Methods and analysis: Using publicly available data from the Global Cancer Observatory (GCO) and the World Bank, we collected cancer statistics and population statistics for Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka from 2017 to 2022. Results: The number of newly diagnosed cases in the region was 1 846 963, representing 9.3% of the incidence worldwide. As defined by the GCO, the crude incidence rate (CIR) (per 100 000) of cancer in SAARC was 97.3 compared with the worldwide rate of 235.5. The crude mortality rate (per 100 000) in SAARC was 63.4, compared with 123.6 globally. However, the mortality to incidence ratio (MIR) (per 100 000) was 0.65, compared with 0.49 globally. Conclusion: Our research highlights SAARC’s unique cancer landscape with low incidence (CIR) and mortality (CMR) but elevated MIR compared with global figures. These findings underscore the need for a united, contextually relevant approach to addressing the burden of cancer in SAARC. In particular, investment in collaborative, tailored cancer care programmes will build the SAARC region’s capacity to address the growing cancer challenge.

Annals of Global Health is a peer-reviewed, fully open access, online journal dedicated to publishing high quality articles dedicated to all aspects of global health. The journal's mission is to advance global health, promote research, and foster the prevention and treatment of disease worldwide. Its goals are to improve the health and well-being of all people, advance health equity, and promote wise stewardship of the earth's environment. The latest journal impact factor is 2.90. Annals of Global Health is supported by the Program for Global Public Health and the Common Good at Boston College. It was founded in 1934 by the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai as the Mount Sinai Journal of Medicine. It is a partner journal of the Consortium of Universities for Global Health. From time to time, Annals of Global Health publishes Special Collections, a series of articles organized around a common theme in global health. Recent Special Collections have included "Local evidence and strategies in addressing NCDs Non-Communicable Diseases in Tanzania", "Universal Health Coverage through Integrated Care", and "The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health". Global health workers interested in developing a Special Collection are strongly encouraged to contact the Managing Editor in advance to discuss the project.

Primary brain tumors are associated with severe cognitive effects on quality of life and poor overall survival. End-of-life experiences for these patients are critical^1,2; the majority of patients wish to die at home or in a hospice facility, whereas death in hospital settings or nursing homes may be associated with lower rates of adequate symptom management and emotional support.³ Previous literature has revealed racial and sociodemographic disparities in location of death for cancer patients.² Therefore, we assessed trends in location of death among patients with malignant brain tumors to provide insight into these sociodemographic disparities for the neuro-oncology population. Using the publicly available CDC WONDER database, we assessed associations between decedent characteristics and location of death for patients with primary malignant neoplasm of the brain (ICD10 codes C71.0-C71.9) through multivariable logistic regression, reporting adjusted odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). We evaluated the significance of trends in location of death over time with linear regression models adjusting for time alone and the interaction between time and race. Additionally, we conducted subgroup analyses to verify our results across multiple brain anatomical regions. Locations of death included hospital, home, nursing facility, hospice facility, and outpatient medical facility/emergency department (ED). Decedent characteristics included age, sex, race, ethnicity, marital status, and education.