Mortality from malignant skin melanoma in elderly Brazilians: 2001 to 2016

Abstract

Background Malignant skin melanoma is a serious public health problem, especially among the elderly population. Knowing the dynamics of the mortality rates of this disease in Brazil is essential to support the creation of public health policies. Objective To analyze the temporal trend of mortality from malignant skin melanoma in elderly people in Brazil, from 2001 to 2016. Methods This was a descriptive analytical study of mortality rates from malignant skin melanoma in the elderly. The data were obtained from the Mortality Information System, and information related to the population was obtained from the 2010 population census and population estimates from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Mortality coefficients were calculated and simple linear regression analysis of the coefficients was performed by sex and macro-region. Results A total 12,712 deaths due to malignant skin melanoma in the elderly were registered. The majority (56.8%) occurred in the male population. In females, a tendency of increase in mortality rates due to malignant skin melanoma was observed in the Northeast (p ≤ 0.001), Midwest (p = 0.002), and Brazil as a whole (p = 0.003). In males, an upward trend was observed in all regions, except for the Southeast region. For both sexes, there was also an upward trend in all regions, with the exception of the Southeast region. Study limitations Secondary databases are directly influenced by the quality of death certificate completion and their heterogeneous scope in Brazilian regions. Conclusion The increase in mortality indicates a potential public health challenge for the coming decades. The prevention of skin cancer among the elderly should become a priority, mainly through the implementation of preventive measures.

Tendência da mortalidade por câncer de pele em idosos do nordeste brasileiro, 2000-2020

“…No caso da alta mortalidade em idosos com faixa estaria acima de 80 anos, deve-se levar em consideração a associação do câncer de pele com outras patologias preexistentes, o que causa um impacto negativo no prognóstico dessa população. Outro apontamento são os subdiagnósticos pela maior dificuldade de detecção de lesões em áreas pouco evidentes como couro cabeludo e costas, baixa visão do idoso e menor importância com a estética e com o autocuidado da pele (BROWN RVS, et al, 2021). Observa-se que essa doença é mais incidente em países desenvolvidos.…”

Sun exposure and photoprotection habits among rural workers in the municipality of Guaraciaba

“…These findings confirm the assumption that individuals over 50 form the majority in agriculture, particularly in family farming (BRASIL, 2019). The prevalence of rural workers over 50 raises concerns, considering their prolonged sun exposure, particularly considering that the risk of skin cancer is directly proportional to the duration of sun exposure (BROWN et al, 2021).…”

“…Therefore, it is essential to adopt photoprotection measures as recommended by health agencies. According to Cardoso et al (2017), an average daily exposure of 6.4 hours to UV radiation has significant detrimental effects on workers' health, particularly if this exposure takes place during the critical hours between 9 am and 3 pm. Disciplinarum Scientia.…”

Epidemiological analysis of skin cancer in Brazil

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