Trends on Breast Cancer Mortality in Salvador (BA) Brazil, 1979-1996

Abstract

Trends on breast cancer mortality among women, residents in the urban setting of Salvador were explored on the basis of all deaths ocurred in 20 years old women, or more, during 1979-1996. Data was obtained from the Ministry of Health and Populational Census of 1970, 1980, 1991 and populational counting between census of 1996, from Brazilian Geographical and Statistic Institute (IBGE). For the other years, were used populational estimations from the Health Information Center from the Bahia's State Secretary of Health (CIS/SESAB). Age-standardized breast cancer mortality rates were calculated. Standardization was done by direct method and the world population was used as a standard. The standardized rates ranged from 12.7 and 19.1/ 100.000 women and were higher than the mortality rates observed in other Brazilian urban settings. In the period studied, the crude mortality rates ranged between 19.1 and 18.7 with a decrease of 3.1%. The age-standardized breast cancer mortality rate trends analysed are stable. However, in the evolution of breast cancer mortality rates by age there is an increasing tendency. With those results, the authors discuss the necessity of increasing screening programs coverage and effectivenness of local health care.