Time trend and regional variability of mortality rate due to ovarian cancer in Brazil: a 15-year analysis

Introduction Ovarian cancer (OC) is the most lethal gynecological tumor. In Brazil, there are important regional differences regarding mortality rates for the same cancer type. Objectives To analyze the progression of OC mortality rates in Brazil and its regions, in age groups over 50 years, between 2000 and 2015. Methods Ecological longitudinal study carried out using secondary data from DATASUS (Brazil's public health system database) regarding deaths due to OC in women living in Brazil between 2000 and 2015. We calculated gross and adjusted mortality, estimated the impact of death of OC and proportional mortality rate of all cancer types in women between the age of 50 and 79 years. Results There were 34.335 deaths due to OC in women in the referred age interval, with a 9% increase in mortality adjusted for age, a 0.05% (P = 0.012) trend and a 24.67% increase in the proportional mortality due to all causes with a 0.02% (P < 0.001) trend. There were statistically significant increases in mortality rates due to OC in the age groups of 50-54 (28,4%, P < 0,05) and 75-79 years (25,1%, P < 0,05). Conclusion Although there are oscillations in mortality rates of OC in Brazil and its regions over the period studied, this parameter has remained relatively stable.