Estimated number of people diagnosed with cancer in Brazil: data from the National Health Survey, 2013

ABSTRACT:

Objective:

To describe the profile of patients who reported a medical diagnosis of cancer and describe the most prevalent types of cancer, according to selected variables.

Methods:

A descriptive study that used data from the National Survey of Health, 2013, to estimate prevalence and their values of confidence interval (95%CI).

Results:

Less than 2% of adults reported a medical diagnosis of cancer, with most reported by women, people over 60, among whites, residents in the village and residents of South Prostate cancer was the most reported among men and breast among women. The lowest average age of first diagnosis was identified for cervical cancer (35.4 years; 95%CI 30.3 - 40.6) and the highest for prostate (65.7 years; 95%CI 64.2 - 67.0).

Conclusion:

The findings of this study are important for the planning of health services and access, as they show differences mainly regional.

Keywords:
Neoplasms; Chronic disease; Health surveys; Epidemiological surveillance; Prevalence; Brazil.