Cancer mortality trends in Spain: 1980–2007

Introduction: Since the 1990s, there has been a downturn in mortality for specific types of tumour in Spain and other European countries. This article reports on the current situation of cancer mortality in Spain, as well as mortality trends over the period 1980–2007, and provides an overview of cancer mortality trends in Europe in recent years. Methods: Data were sourced from the National Statistics Institute (Instituto Nacional de Estadística – INE) and the World Health Organization mortality database. Mortality trends were studied using change-point Poisson regression models. Results: All-cancer mortality decreased in both sexes from 1980 to 2007, owing to the fact that the tumours responsible for the highest number of deaths registered declining trends from the mid-1990s onwards. In men, mortality due to stomach and prostate cancer fell by >3% per annum in the last 10 years of the study period. In women, the largest contributions to the fall in cancer mortality were due to breast and colorectal cancers. In contrast, female mortality due to smoking-related cancers rose significantly. Within the European context, Spain's estimated 2005 mortality rates were intermediate for men and low for women. Conclusion: Cancer control is progressing in the right direction in Spain. Further interventions directed to reduce tobacco-related cancer mortality remain a priority, particularly for women.