Cancer Stage and Survival in Saudi Arabia

Cancer is an emerging public health challenge in Saudi Arabia (SA), with a rising burden despite currently lower incidence rates compared to Western countries. In 2015, over 15,000 cancer cases were registered in SA, with breast and colorectal cancers ranking as the most common diagnoses and leading causes of cancer-related deaths. Alarmingly, the majority of patients are still diagnosed at advanced stages, with more than half of breast cancer and two-thirds of colorectal cancer patients presenting with regional or distant metastasis. This late-stage presentation is associated with poorer outcomes, higher treatment costs, and reduced survival rates.

While cancer diagnostic and treatment services are provided free of charge, gaps remain in prevention and early detection efforts. National cancer screening programs for breast and colorectal cancer exist, yet systematic call, recall, and follow-up mechanisms are lacking. Moreover, screening utilization remains low—largely due to cultural barriers, limited awareness, and insufficient knowledge about cancer risk factors. For example, more than 90% of Saudi women aged 50 and above reported never having undergone mammography.

This project aims to investigate the influence of demographic characteristics (such as age, gender, socioeconomic status, education, and geographic region) on late-stage cancer diagnosis in SA. It also seeks to assess how these factors affect survival outcomes and explore patients’ perspectives on symptom recognition and healthcare-seeking behavior. Understanding these determinants will provide critical evidence to inform national health policies, strengthen cancer control strategies, and improve early detection practices. The expected impact of this research includes:

Identifying key demographic and behavioral barriers contributing to delayed diagnosis.

Providing evidence-based recommendations for more effective cancer screening programs tailored to the Saudi population.

Enhancing awareness campaigns and culturally appropriate interventions to improve screening uptake.

Contributing to national efforts to reduce the cancer burden, improve survival rates, and align SA’s cancer control strategies with global best practices.

By bridging gaps in knowledge and practice, this project will support Saudi Arabia’s ongoing healthcare transformation and ultimately improve cancer outcomes for its population.