Cancer-related mortality in Peru: Trends from 2003 to 2016

Abstract

In the last decade, Latin American (LA) countries, like Peru, have undergone an epidemiological transition that has changed the pattern of oncological cases. Given that Peru's oncological pattern could illustrate those of other LA countries, we aimed at determining trends and changes in cancer-related mortality by age and sex in Peru between 2003 and 2016. Methods and results A secondary data analysis using national deaths registries was conducted. Categories were created according to the 27 most frequent sites of presentation of cancer. We found that deaths attributed to cancer increased from 15.4% of all deaths in 2003 to 18.1% in 2016 (p<0.001). According to the cancer site, stomach cancer (19.1%) and lung cancer (11.5%) were the most frequent causes of death overall. In childhood (0 to 14 years), the two most frequent fatal cancers were leukemia (54.6% for boys and 53.5% for girls) and brain and nervous system tumors (19.4% for boys and 20.3% for girls). For teenagers and young male adults (15-49 years), stomach cancer (18.1%) and brain cancer (17.4%) were the leading causes of death; in their female counterparts, cervix uteri (20.0%) and breast cancer (16.1%) were the most mortal cancers. In adults (�50 years), stomach (20.9% for men and 18.6% for women) and lung (12.7% for men and 10.4% for women) were the leading contributors to the burden of cancer deaths. Conclusions Between the years 2003 and 2016, almost one fifth of deaths were attributed to cancer in Peru. Absolute and relative number of deaths due to cancer has increased in this period for both men and women; however, standardized mortality rates due to cancer have declined.

Cancer disease progression and death during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multidisciplinary analysis for the Peruvian setting

“…In Peru, cancer is the primary cause of death (2018: 92.9 cases per 100,000 inhabitants), and the highest mortality rates originate from the stomach, lungs, prostate, liver, bile ducts and colon. Cancer causes disability, quality-of-life impairment and potential years of life lost due to premature death [ 9 , 10 ]. The incidence rate was 192.6 in 2018, with notable differences in the nosological presentation by sex in the past 5 years [ 8 ].…”

“…Beyond these efforts, official information from MINSA shows that more than 60% of new cases of cancer in 2013–2017 were detected late [ 25 ]. This scenario is associated with more considerable deterioration in the quality of life, disabilities and higher mortality [ 9 ].…”

Trend in gastric cancer mortality rate in Peru: Segmented regression model 1995 - 2013

“…Un estudio reciente acerca de la tendencia de mortalidad por cáncer gástrico en el Perú del 2003 al 2016, que utiliza la prueba no paramétrica clásica de tendencia Mann-Kendall para comprobar si existe una tendencia en las series de tiempo muestra una disminución en la proporción de muertes atribuidas a cáncer gástrico en mayores de 50 años estadísticamente significativa para hombres de 25,7% a 21,8% y para mujeres de 24,4% a 16,44%. (31) . Otro estudio analizó el tipo histológico de 3568 pacientes con cáncer gástrico registrados en el Sistema Nacional de Vigilancia Epidemiológica del cáncer del Ministerio de Salud entre los años 2009-2010 y se encuentra un 43,2% de tipo no especificado, 33,6% de tipo intestinal (el más relacionado a Helicobácter pylori) y 18,7% de tipo difuso.…”

The contribution of specific non-communicable diseases to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goal 3.4 in Peru

“…One policy example is the "Plan Esperanza" (Hope Plan), implemented by the Peruvian government since 2012 which allocates resources and set as a priority the prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment and palliative care for cancer patients [28]. Until 2014 the epidemiology of cancer in Peru had a mixed profile, with mortality rates due to some neoplasms decreasing and others increasing [29]; recent evidence suggests that the cancer standardized mortality rates have decreased in Peru [30]. To the best of our knowledge there has not been a systematic and consistent analysis of the impact of the "Plan Esperanza", though the wide and sustained implementation of this program across the country may account for (or some of) our findings regarding the contribution of cancer mortality.…”