Characterization of Cancer Mortality in Cruces in the Decade 2002-2011

Background: cancer is a major health problem due its high morbidity and mortality. It presents a major social challenge, since its incidence increases with economic and industrial development of the countries. Objectives: to characterize cancer mortality in Cruces in the decade 2002-2011 and to determine mortality rates per year. Methods: a retrospective descriptive study was conducted. The universe consisted of 530 patients who died of cancer in the interval indicated. Data were obtained through the Primary Register of Deaths of the Statistics Department in the municipality. The variables were: age, sex, place of death, primary cause of death and survival time for the disease. Results: male patients aged 73- 90 years who died of lung cancer in 2006 predominated. The most frequent place of death was home.Time interval between diagnosis and time of death was several years. Conclusions: cancer is a major health problem for the population in Cruces, showing increasing levels of mortality mostly related to population aging.