A mortalidade por câncer colorretal no nordeste brasileiro : um estudo do período 2000 a 2023

Abstract

This study aims to understand mortality from Colorectal Cancer (CRC) in the Brazilian Northeast between 2000 and 2023. The research adopts a quantitative approach to analyze deaths from CRC that occurred in the Northeast region, based on data obtained from the Mortality Information System (SIM) of DATASUS between 2000 and 2023. A total of 50,538 deaths were recorded during the analyzed period, with 69.72% occurring among individuals aged 50 to 79. Females accounted for 54.95% of the cases, totaling 27,768 deaths. Regarding the race/ethnicity variable, individuals identified as "pardo" (mixed race) represented 52.75%; in terms of marital status, 42.45% of the deceased were married. Concerning education level, 23.18% of the records had missing information, and 20.60% referred to individuals with 1 to 3 years of schooling. Across the triennia from 2000–2002 to 2021–2023, all states in the Northeast showed an increase in CRC mortality rates. In the first triennium, Pernambuco (7.60%) and Rio Grande do Norte (6.67%) had the highest rates. In 2021–2023, the state of Rio Grande do Norte reached 24.07 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants, followed by Pernambuco (23.77). Alagoas saw an increase of over 500%, rising from 2.48 to 14.93. The regional average rose from 5.21 to 20.06, an increase of approximately 285%. It is concluded that the mortality profile by region serves as a tool for understanding disease patterns in specific areas of the country, providing support for epidemiological surveillance as well as for the formulation and implementation of public health policies.