Abstract

SERRA C, Iván et al. Aging and high prevalence of advanced stages determine the increasing breast cancer mortality in Chile. Rev Chil Cir [online]. 2012, vol.64, n.2, pp. 137-146. ISSN 0718-4026.  http://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0718-40262012000200006.

Aims: To test the hypothesis that ages above 54 years not included in the national program and a greater proportion of advanced stages in the public health sector that attends 75% of the population, could explain the increasing high mortality rate for this cancer in Chile. Methods: Incidence data provided by the 29 public health services (SNSS) in the country and mortality data from the Ministry of Health were used to analyse the epidemiological situation at the biggest health service (SSMSO), 1.6 million of people, compared with the country, 16 million. Results: Breast cancer was in 2009, last year with information, the first cause of oncologic death in Chilean women with 1,338 deaths and an actual mortality rate of 15.7 per 100,000 women. Deaths for gallbladder and gastric cancers were 1,295 and 1,150 respectively. Mortality for breast cancer in 2009 was 10.4 in the SSMSO. Less advanced stages with a proportion of about 20% compared with the country (30%) and more prevalent older ages were observed in this health service. Conclusions: Hypothesis is true. Targets of extended age and decreasing of less advanced stages for the country emerge from this study. To integrate levels of medical care in the SNSS and to include examination of breasts jointly with free diagnostic mammographies in women above 54 years old ordered by the nurses responsibles at the national programs of diabetes mellitus and arterial hypertension are recommended aiming to increase compliance of secondary prevention in breast cancer.

Keywords : Breast cancer; epidemiology; incidence; mortality; health programs; Chile.