Perfil de mortalidade por câncer de mama em mulheres jovens no Rio Grande do Norte : um estudo no período de 2010 a 2023

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to identify the mortality profile from breast cancer among young women in the state of Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil, from 2010 to 2023. Methodology: It is a descriptive study with a quantitative approach, based on secondary data from the Mortality Information System (SIM), considering women aged 20 to 49 who died from malignant breast neoplasms. Sociodemographic variables such as age group, race/skin color, marital status, and education level were analyzed. Results: A total of 749 deaths were identified, with the highest frequency in the 45 to 49 age group (41.1%), followed by the 40 to 44 (27.9%) and 35 to 39 (20.6%) age groups. Most women were identified as mixed race (51.0%), single (39.0%) or married (37.7%), with the predominant education level ranging from 8 to 11 years of schooling (28.7%). An increase of approximately 41.6% in the number of deaths was observed over the study period, rising from 120 deaths in the 2010–2012 triennium to 170 in the 2021–2023 triennium. Discussion: The findings highlight a rising trend in mortality among young women and expose structural inequalities related to access to early diagnosis and cancer treatment. The lack of public policies specifically targeting mammography screening for women under 50, combined with the underrepresentation of this age group in awareness campaigns, significantly contributes to late-stage diagnoses. Conclusion: Identifying the victims’ profiles may support the development of public health policies that are more responsive to this population's specific needs, aiming to reduce mortality and promote equity in cancer care.