EVOLUTION OF MORTALITY FROM ESOPHAGEAL CANCER IN SOUTHERN MEN IN BRAZIL, 1980-2011

Introduction: Esophageal cancer is known as a cancer that has delayed symptoms, and their occurrence is characteristic of regions with low level of development. However, it was observed that a large magnitude occurs in southern Brazil, which is in second place in the ranking of the richest geographical regions of the country.

Objective: To analyze time trends in mortality from esophageal cancer among men in southern Brazil between 1980 and 2011.

Methods: We used secondary data obtained from the Mortality Information System (SIM) . To calculate the annual percentage change (Annual Percentage Change - APC) in mortality rate for cancer of the esophagus period and to calculate the average annual percentage change (Average Annual Percentage Change - AAPC) the last 10 years, we used the joinpoint regression.

Results: We observed a trend of declining mortality in the states and capitals of the South, being more evident and statistically significant fall in the state of Paraná (decreasing 5.9 % year to after 2005 , p = 0.005) , Santa Catarina (decreasing 5.5% per year after 2005 , p = 0.016 ) and Rio Grande do Sul (decreasing 4.2 % a year after 2005 , p = 0.013 ) . In the capital the fall was homogeneous throughout the series, and none of them significant.

Conclusion: Considering the results it is possible to discuss possible causes for the high rates during the years studied , among them . consumption of pesticides in plantations , use of tobacco or alcohol, consumption of alcohol at high temperatures as the mate and other cultural activities that can be considered risk factors for developing this type of cancer.