[Trends in cancer mortality in the province of Huelva (1980-1991)].

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the tendency of cancer mortality in Huelva between 1980 and 1991.

DESIGN

Study of mortality.

SETTING

Province of Huelva.

PATIENTS: All deaths and their causes were studied, using the Death Register of the National Institute of Statistics.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN

RESULTS

Mortality due to the most common malign tumours (MI) was analysed (lung, lip, mouth cavity and pharynx, breast, body and neck of uterus, ovaries, oesophagus, stomach, colon, liver, pancreas, prostate, bladder, leukaemia, Hodgkin's, bones and cartilages, brain and skin). The standardised and theoretical rates were calculated for age, year, gender and specific rates. Cancer accounted for 20.8% of deaths (males, 25.29%; women, 16%). The mortality rates for cancer tended to rise significantly, both overall and for both genders (men in 1980, 201 per 100,000 and in 1991, 230; women in 1980, 112 and in 1991, 124). The highest rates for males were for lung, prostate and stomach MTs; and for women, breast, stomach and colon MTs. Lung MT and leukaemia increased in men; whereas breast, neck of uterus, ovaries and Hodgkin's disease increased in women. Bladder, mouth cavity, colon, pancreas and skin MTs were on the rise in both sexes. The highest specific rate was in under-45s for Leukaemia; and in over-45s, for lung MT in men and breast MT in women.

CONCLUSIONS

Cancer is the second cause of death in Huelva and is on the rise. The rates of death in men due to lung MT and in women to breast MT are particularly high.