TREND FOR LIVER AND BILIARY DUCTS CANCER MORTALITY IN NORTHERN BRAZIL, 1980-2011

Introduction: In Brazil, since the late 70's , liver cancer mortality has remaining out of the top 5 topographies of cancer in the country and in most Brazilian regions except North, known for lower vaccination coverage against hepatitis B.

Objective: To analyze time trends in mortality from liver and biliary tract cancer in northern Brazil, between 1980 and 2011.

Method: A time series study was conducted using secondary data obtained from the Mortality Information System (SIM) . We calculated the standardized mortality rate for both sex. We used polynomial regression to modeling. It has been calculated, yet the proportional mortality ratio to compare mortality in the northern region and in the rest of Brazil.

Results: Mortality from liver cancer still presents higher in northern than in Brazil in general, for both sex (standardized mortality ratio of 143 for men and 132 for women in 2011) . However, there is a downward trend in both, being more pronounced in the north than for Brazil, both in men (respectively 0.3 % per year and 7.6 % per year) and women (respectively, 0.2 % per year and 6.4 % per year ).

Conclusion: After analyzing the mortality rates of liver and biliary tract cancer, we noted that there is a declining trend in the northern region and fluctuations in Brazil, and because of this we can discuss some possible factors that led to this situation. It is therefore important to emphasize primary prevention of cancer, especially increasing vaccination coverage against hepatitis B and intensifying forms of protection against hepatitis C.