Analysis of Trends in Cancer-related Mortality in Turkey

OBJECTIVE Cancer is one of the most important causes of death, both in Turkey and in the world. Cancer also causes economic burden to countries. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the data and mortality trends related to cancer using statistical methods to take primary or secondary preventive measures. In this study, we aimed to analyse the recent changes in cancer mortality via using Joinpoint Regression Analysis (JRA) method between 2009 and 2017. METHODS The data on cancer-related mortality in Turkey from the database of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) were obtained and analysed with the JRA method. Age-standardized mortality rate (ASR), annual percent change (APC) and average annual percent change (AAPC) were calculated and compared according to gender. RESULTS In female patients, the significant increase in mortality trends were observed in breast, gastrointestinal system (liver, pancreas, and colon) and gynecological cancers (ovarian and corpus uteri). In male patients, liver, pancreas, colon, lip, oral cavity, pharynx and bladder cancers were shown to increase significantly. There was no significant increase in other cancer sites. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this study is the first study that has analyzed cancer and cancer-related death trends using JRA at the national level in Turkey. We think that our study can demonstrate the contrast trends in cancer rates. According to these results, better health interventions could be developed to fight against cancer and to reduce the incidence of cancer-related morbidity and mortality.