The objective of this study was to analyze the cancer mortality trends, according to gender and age, in the period from 1980 to 2000, in ten Brazilian capitals. To that end, an ecological time series study was carried out, using mortality data of subjects above 30 years of age and of both genders. Mortality data were obtained from the Mortality Information System of the Ministry of Health (SIM/MS/DATASUS). Mortality rates were standardized by the direct method and the simple linear regression method. The average standardized mortality rate for cancer, estimated between 1980 and 2000, was 10,239 deaths, with an increase of 5,220 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants for each year. Mortality rates were higher in men and individuals above 60 years of age. A growing trend in mortality was observed in the capitals analyzed, in both age groups, and was higher in the capitals of the North, Northwest and Center-West regions and in the population above 60 years of age. The high mortality for men and the elderly population was probably due to the higher exposure to environmental risk factors and greater prevalence of lethal cancers among men. The capitals of the South and Southeast regions followed the growing trend, with a smaller increase in comparison to the others, due to the largest advances in the demographic and epidemiologic transition process and better health care. This study showed that the mortality due to cancer has increased in the time series, and may possibly become the major cause of death in Brazil.
Ecological Study; Mortality; Neoplasic disease; Cancer
