Prevalência de óbitos por câncer em mulheres.

Abstract

Nowadays, cancer is responsible for more than 12% of all causes of death in the world, the explanation for this is the increased exposure of individuals to carcinogenic factors, such as changes in living patterns, from the standardization working conditions, nutrition and consumption of processed foods, affecting especially women. As for cervical cancer, despite being preventable and curable, yet it is presented as a public health problem in Brazil due to high rates of morbidity and mortality; being the third leading cause of death from cancer in women. The lack of accurate information about the epidemiology, evolution and confirmation of deaths hamper the development of more efficient and effective strategies for the prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of cancer. In this sense, this study has the general objective to determine the prevalence of cancer deaths in women in the city of Cajazeiras-PB. This is a documentary and descriptive research with quantitative approach. Data were collected from death certificates that were issued in the period 2010-2014 in the city. This research followed the requirements of Resolution 466\12 of the National Health Council, being approved by the Ethics Committee of the Universidade Federal de Campina Grande (Federal University of Campina Grande)/Centro de Formação de Professores (Teachers’ Training Center) in the item nº. 1,171,929. Data were organized and presented in tables and graphs, and analyzed in the light of the relevant literature. It was found in this study, the occurrence of 278 cancer deaths, with 127 (45.7%) cases in women. The most prevalent types were lung cancer with 24 (18.9%) cases; breast cancer with 16 (12.6%) cases; and brain/pancreas/uterus with 10 (4.7%) patients each. Regarding the profile of mortality from cervical cancer, it was found that 40% of women were in the age group of 52-64 years of age, married or single marital status (20% each), white (40%) with incomplete primary education (40%) and retired (30%). In view of these data, it can be observed that cancer presents itself as a public health problem, being in line with the global statistics on mortality from chronic non-communicable diseases, as well, one can assume the possibility of weaknesses in comprehensive care to women's health. It appears that the low level of education and income interfere with increased morbidity and mortality of women for cervical cancer. In view of the screen in the research findings, it can be said the extreme importance of drawing up action plans aimed at prevention, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment for the reduction of deaths from cancer in women.