Political struggles for a universal health system in Brazil: successes and limits in the reduction of inequalities.

BACKGROUND: Brazil is a populous high/middle-income country, characterized by deep economic and social inequalities. Like most other Latin American nations, Brazil constructed a health system that included, on the one hand, public health programs and, on the other, social insurance healthcare for those working in the formal sector. This study analyzes the political struggles surrounding the implementation of a universal health system from the mid-1980s to the present, and their effects on selected health indicators, focusing on the relevant international and national contexts, political agendas, government orientations and actors. MAIN TEXT: In the 1980s, against the backdrop of economic crisis and democratization, Brazil's health reform movement proposed a Unified Health System (SUS), which was incorporated into the 1988 Constitution. The combination of a democratic system with opportunities for interaction between various developmental and social agendas and actors has played a key role in shaping health policy since then. However, the expansion of public services has been hampered by insufficient public funding and by the strengthening of the private sector, subsidized by the state. Private enterprises have expanded their markets and political influence, in a process that has accelerated in recent years. Despite these obstacles, SUS has produced significant health-status improvements and some (although incomplete) reductions in Brazil's vast health inequalities. CONCLUSIONS: We find that a combination of long-term structural and contingent factors, international agendas and interests, as well as domestic political struggles, explains the advances and obstacles to building a universal system in an economically important yet unequal peripheral country. Further consolidation of SUS and reduction of health inequalities hinge on the uncertain prospects for democracy and national development, on enlarging the political coalition to support a public and universal health system, and on strengthening the state's ability to regulate the private sector.

Recent changes in trends of mortality from cervical cancer in Southeastern Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the trends of cervical cancer mortality in Brazilian Southeastern states, and to compare them to Brazil and other regions between 1980 and 2020. METHODS: Time series study based on data from the Sistema de Informações de Mortalidade (Brazilian Mortality Information System). Death data were corrected by proportional redistribution of deaths from ill-defined causes and cervical cancer of unspecified portion. Age-standardized and age-specific rates were calculated by screening target (25-39 years; 40-64 years) and non-target (65 years or older) age groups. Annual percentage changes (APC) were estimated by linear regression model with breakpoints. The coverage of Pap Smear exam in the Unified Health System (SUS) was evaluated between 2009 and 2020 according to age group and locality. RESULTS: There were increases in corrected mortality rates both in 1980 and in 2020 in all regions, with most evident increments at the beginning of the series. There was a decrease in mortality nationwide between 1980-2020; however, the state of São Paulo showed a discrete upward trend in 2014-2020 (APC=1.237; 95%CI 0.046-2.443). Noteworthy is the trend increment in the 25-39 year-old group in all study localities, being sharper in the Southeast region in 2013-2020 (APC=5.072; 95%CI 3.971-6.185). Screening coverage rates were highest in São Paulo and lowest in Rio de Janeiro, with a consistent decline from 2012 onwards at all ages. CONCLUSIONS: São Paulo is the first Brazilian state to show a reversal trend in mortality from cervical cancer. The changes in mortality patterns identified in this study point to the need for reorganization of the current screening program, which should be improved to ensure high coverage, quality, and adequate follow-up of all women with altered test results.

Papanicolaou test in Brazil: analysis of the National Health Survey of 2013 and 2019.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the coverage of cervical cancer screening in Brazil in 2013 and 2019, investigating the factors associated with having the test performed and the reasons given for not doing it. Additionally, a comparison is made concerning the time taken to receive the test result in SUS (Sistema Único de Saúde) and in the private health services. METHODS: Using data from the National Health Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde - PNS), prevalence rates and corresponding confidence intervals were calculated to determine the frequency of recent cervical cancer screenings among women aged between 25 and 64 years old in Brazil, for both 2013 and 2019. Poisson regression models were employed to compare the prevalence of the outcome according to sociodemographic characteristics. The reasons for not having the test and the time between performing and receiving the result were also analyzed. RESULTS: The findings revealed an increase in the coverage of preventive cervical cancer exams in Brazil from 78.7% in 2013 to 81.3% in 2019. Additionally, there was a decline in the proportion of women who had never undergone the exam, from 9.7% to 6.1%. Prevalence of test uptake was higher among white women, those with higher levels of education and income, and those residing in the South and Southeast regions of the country. The most commonly cited reasons for not taking the test were the impression it was unnecessary (45% in both 2013 and 2019) and never having been asked to undergo the test (20.6% in 2013 and 14.8% in 2019). CONCLUSIONS: Despite the high coverage of screening achieved in the country, there is great inequality in access to the test, and a non-negligible number of women are at greater risk of dying from a preventable disease. Efforts must be made to structure an organized screening program that identifies and captures the most vulnerable women.

Covid-19 in Brazil in 2020: impact on deaths from cancer and cardiovascular diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on mortality from cancer and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) as underlying cause and comorbidity in Brazil and Brazilian regions in 2020. METHODS: We used the 2019 and 2020 databases of the Mortality Information System (SIM) to analyze deaths occurring between March and December of each year that had cancer or CVD as the underlying cause or comorbidity. Deaths from covid-19 in 2020 were also analyzed. To estimate the Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) and the excess of deaths, 2019 data were considered as standard. RESULTS: Between March and December 2020, there were 181,377 deaths from cancer and 291,375 deaths from cardiovascular diseases in Brazil, indicating reduction rates of 9.7% and 8.8%, respectively, compared to the same period of the previous year. The pattern was maintained in the five Brazilian regions, with lower variation for cancer (-8.4% in the South to -10.9% in the Midwest). For CVD, the variation was greater, from -2.2% in the North to -10.5 in the Southeast and South. In the same period of 2020, these diseases were classified as comorbidities in 18,133 deaths from cancer and 188,204 deaths from cardiovascular diseases, indicating a proportional excess compared to data from 2019, of 82.1% and 77.9%, respectively. This excess was most significant in the Northern Region, with a ratio of 2.5 between observed and expected deaths for the two conditions studied. CONCLUSIONS: Excess deaths from cancer and CVD as comorbidities in 2020 may indicate that covid-19 had an important impact among patients with these conditions.

Access to colposcopy in the State of São Paulo, Brazil: probabilistic linkage study of administrative data.

Cervical cancer screening is a multistage process, therefore access to both the primary test and subsequent diagnostic procedures is essential. Considering women undergoing screening on the public health system in the State of São Paulo, Brazil, we aimed to estimate the proportion of women accessing colposcopy within six months of an abnormal smear result. We retrieved records from two administrative databases, the Information System on Uterine Cervical Cancer (SISCOLO) that contains smear results and the Outpatient Information System of the Brazilian Unified National Health System (SIA/SUS) that records colposcopies. A reference cohort consisted of women, aged 25 years or older, with an abnormal smear result between May 1, 2014, and June 30, 2014. We excluded prevalent cases. We linked the reference cohort and records in the SIA/SUS extending to December 31, 2014. After excluding prevalent cases, 1,761 women with abnormal cytology results were left. A total of 700 (39.8%) women were linked to a colposcopy record within the follow-up period; this dropped to 671 (38.1%) women when follow-up was censored at six months. We could notice a slightly higher attendance in women living in the metropolitan region of São Paulo compared with residents of the rest of the state. We found no association between colposcopy attendance and age or cytology class. These results emphasize that access to colposcopy in the public health system in São Paulo is limited. This compromises the quality of screening, and the issue needs to be prioritized in service planning.

[Evaluation of cervical cancer control actions within Brazil and its regions based on data recorded in the Brazilian Unified National Health System]. / Avaliação das ações de controle do câncer de colo do útero no Brasil e regiões a partir dos dados registrados no Sistema Único de Saúde.

This study analyzes the performance of screening and diagnosis tests for cervical cancer among women aged 25 to 64 years, as well as the delay for the initiation of treatment within Brazil and in its geographic regions, from 2013 to 2020. Information on populational procedures and estimates was obtained from the information systems of the Brazilian Unified National Health System and the Brazilian National Supplementary Health Agency. We calculated the coverage indicators of the Pap smear, the percentages of altered cytopathological and histopathological tests, and the percentage of women diagnosed with cervical cancer with over 60 days of treatment. There was great variation in the coverage of the Pap smear test among the Brazilian regions with a downward trend from 2013, which was aggravated from 2019 to 2020. The number of altered cytopathological tests was 40% lower than estimated, and the difference between the recorded number of cancer diagnoses and the estimated number of patients was below 50%. The percentage of women diagnosed with invasive cervical cancer, who started treatment after 60 days, ranged from 50% in the South to 70% in the North Region with a decrease from 2018. In 2020, there was a decrease in the number of screening and follow-up tests, reducing the proportion of women delayed in starting treatment in the North, Southeast, and South regions. The decline in screening coverage and inadequate follow-up of women with altered results indicate the need to improve early detection strategies for the disease and establish mechanisms for constant evaluation and monitoring of actions.

Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar a realização de exames de rastreamento e diagnóstico para o câncer de colo do útero entre mulheres de 25 e 64 anos, bem como o atraso para o início do tratamento no Brasil e suas regiões geográficas no período de 2013 a 2020. As informações sobre os procedimentos e as estimativas populacionais foram obtidas nos sistemas de informações do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) e da Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar (ANS). Foram calculados indicadores de cobertura do exame de Papanicolau, os percentuais de exames citopatológicos e histopatológicos alterados, e o percentual de mulheres com diagnóstico de câncer do colo do útero tratadas com mais de 60 dias. Houve grande variação na cobertura do exame de Papanicolau entre as regiões brasileiras com tendência de declínio a partir de 2013, agudizada de 2019 para 2020. O número registrado de exames citopatológicos alterados foi 40% inferior ao estimado e a diferença entre o número registrado de diagnósticos de câncer e o estimado menor que 50%. O percentual das mulheres com diagnóstico de câncer invasivo do colo do útero que iniciaram o tratamento após 60 dias variou entre 50% na Região Sul a 70% na Região Norte, com diminuição a partir de 2018. Em 2020, houve retração do número de exames de rastreamento e de seguimento com diminuição da proporção de mulheres com atraso para o início do tratamento nas regiões Norte, Sudeste e Sul. A queda na cobertura do rastreamento e o seguimento inadequado de mulheres com resultados alterados indicam a necessidade de aprimorar as estratégias de detecção precoce da doença e estabelecer mecanismos de avaliação e monitoramento constante das ações.

Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar el desempeño de las pruebas de detección y diagnóstico de cáncer de cuello uterino entre mujeres de 25 a 64 años, así como el retraso en el inicio del tratamiento en Brasil y en sus regiones geográficas en el período entre el 2013 y el 2020. La información sobre los procedimientos y las estimaciones poblacionales se obtuvo de los sistemas de información del Sistema Único de Salud y de la Agencia Nacional de Salud Complementaria. Se calcularon indicadores de cobertura de la prueba de Papanicolaou, los porcentajes de exámenes citopatológicos e histopatológicos alterados y el porcentaje de mujeres con diagnóstico de cáncer de cuello uterino sometidas a tratamiento por más de 60 días. Hubo una gran variación en la cobertura de la prueba de Papanicolaou entre las regiones brasileñas, con tendencia a la disminución a partir del 2013, agudizada del 2019 al 2020. El número registrado de exámenes citopatológicos alterados fue un 40% inferior al estimado, y la diferencia entre el número registrado de diagnósticos de cáncer y el estimado fue menor al 50%. El porcentaje de mujeres diagnosticadas con cáncer de cuello uterino invasivo que comenzaron el tratamiento después de 60 días varió del 50% en la Región Sur al 70% en la Región Norte, con una disminución a partir del 2018. En el 2020, hubo una retracción en el número de exámenes de detección y seguimiento, con una disminución en la proporción de mujeres con retraso en el inicio del tratamiento en las regiones Norte, Sudeste y Sur. La reducción en la cobertura de la detección y el seguimiento inadecuado de las mujeres con resultados alterados indican la necesidad de mejorar las estrategias de detección temprana de la enfermedad y establecer mecanismos de evaluación y seguimiento constante de las acciones.

Trend of the Burden of Larynx Cancer in Brazil, 1990 to 2019.

INTRODUCTION: Larynx cancer is one of the most common head and neck cancers, whose main risk factors are smoking and alcohol use, and its occurrence and prognosis depend on adequate and timely preventive measures. This study aimed to investigate the burden of larynx cancer in Brazil and its states. METHODS: Using estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019, this study analyzed the trends of incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) for larynx cancer between 1990 and 2019, besides the mortality-to-incidence ratio and the socio demographic index. RESULTS: Incidence and mortality due to larynx cancer in Brazil, which are approximately eight-fold higher for men, showed a declining trend between 1990 and 2019 (APPC: -0.4% and -1.0%, respectively). The DALYs also showed negative variation between 1990 and 2019 for both sexes in Brazil, mainly due to the decrease in premature deaths, with the greatest reduction in the state of São Paulo. For the states of Brazil in 2019, the higher age-standardized incidence rate (Rio Grande do Sul, 3.83 cases per 100,000 inhabitants) is twice the lowest rate (Piauí, 1.56 cases per 100,000 inhabitants). CONCLUSIONS: A fall in the burden of larynx cancer was observed in Brazil over the past 30 years, which may be attributed to a reduction in smoking and to an improvement in treatment. However, the regional inequalities in the country remain evident, especially for males. This data can guide public policy priorities to control the disease in Brazil.

[Age-adjusted COVID-19 mortality in state capitals in different regions of Brazil]. / Mortalidade por COVID-19 padronizada por idade nas capitais das diferentes regiões do Brasil.

The sharp growth in COVID-19 cases and deaths has created a heavy overburden on Brazil's health system, especially in the cities of Manaus (Amazonas State), Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo. The description of the pandemic's impact has been based on absolute numbers and crude mortality rates, failing to consider the age distribution patterns in different regions of the country. This study aims to compare the crude mortality rates from COVID-19 with age-standardized rates in the state capitals and Federal District. Information on deaths was accessed in the Information System on Influenza Surveillance (SIVEP-Gripe), and the population denominators were based on the estimate provided by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Calculation of the age-standardized rates used the estimated age structure of the Brazilian population in 2020. The results show that the highest crude rates were in Manaus (253.6/100,000) and Rio de Janeiro (253.2/100,000). Age standardization led to a major increase in the North of Brazil. The highest age-adjusted rate was in Manaus (412.5/100,000), where 33% of COVID-19 deaths occurred in individuals under 60 years of age. Mortality in Manaus over 70 years of age was double that of Rio de Janeiro and triple that of São Paulo. The use of age-adjusted mortality rates eliminates interpretative biases, clearly exposing the even greater weight of COVID-19 in the North of Brazil.

O crescimento acentuado de casos e óbitos por COVID-19 tem levado à grande sobrecarga do sistema de saúde no Brasil, em especial em cidades como Manaus (Amazonas), Rio de Janeiro e São Paulo. A descrição do impacto da pandemia tem se baseado em números absolutos ou taxas de mortalidade brutas, não considerando o padrão de distribuição das faixas etárias nas diferentes regiões do país. Este estudo tem por objetivo comparar as taxas de mortalidade brutas por COVID-19 com as taxas padronizadas por idade nas capitais dos estados brasileiros e no Distrito Federal. As informações sobre óbito foram acessadas no Sistema de Informação de Vigilância da Gripe (SIVEP-Gripe), e os denominadores populacionais foram baseados nas estimativas disponibilizadas pelo Ministério da Saúde. Para o cálculo das taxas padronizadas por idade, utilizou-se a estrutura etária da população do Brasil estimada para 2020. Os resultados mostram que as maiores taxas brutas foram em Manaus (253,6/100 mil) e no Rio de Janeiro (253,2/100 mil). Após padronização por idade, houve aumento expressivo das taxas na Região Norte. A maior taxa ajustada foi vista em Manaus (412,5/100 mil) onde 33% de óbitos por COVID-19 ocorreram entre menores de 60 anos. A mortalidade em Manaus acima de 70 anos foi o dobro se comparada à do Rio de Janeiro e o triplo se comparada à de São Paulo. A utilização de taxas de mortalidade padronizadas por idade elimina vieses interpretativos, expondo, de forma marcante, o peso ainda maior da COVID-19 na Região Norte do país.

El crecimiento acentuado de casos y óbitos por COVID-19 ha provocado una gran sobrecarga del sistema de salud en Brasil, en especial en ciudades como Manaus (Estado del Amazonas), Rio de Janeiro y São Paulo. La descripción del impacto de la pandemia se ha basado en números absolutos o tasas de mortalidad brutas, no considerando el patrón de distribución de las franjas etarias en las diferentes regiones del país. Este estudio tiene como objetivo comparar las tasas de mortalidad brutas por COVID-19, con las tasas estandarizadas por edad, en las capitales de los estados brasileños y en el Distrito Federal. Se accedió a la información sobre fallecimientos en el Sistema de Información de Vigilancia de la Gripe (SIVEP-Gripe), y los denominadores poblacionales se basaron en las estimaciones facilitadas por el Ministerio de Salud de Brasil. Para el cálculo de las tasas estandarizadas por edad, se utilizó la estructura etaria de la población de Brasil estimada para 2020. Los resultados muestran que las mayores tasas brutas se produjeron en Manaus (253,6/100.000) y en Rio de Janeiro (253,2/100.000). Tras la estandarización por edad, hubo un aumento expresivo de las tasas en la Región Norte. La mayor tasa ajustada fue vista en Manaus (412,5/100.000), donde un 33% de óbitos por COVID-19 se produjeron entre menores de 60 años. La mortalidad en Manaus por encima de 70 años fue el doble, si se compara con la de Rio de Janeiro, y el triple si se compara con la de São Paulo. La utilización de tasas de mortalidad estandarizadas por edad elimina sesgos interpretativos, exponiendo, de forma significativa, el peso todavía mayor de la COVID-19 en la Región Norte del país.

High discrepancies in the mortality of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in the two most economically important states in Brazil.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the proportion of deaths among hospitalized cases of COVID-19 in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, stratified by private and public services. METHODS: Hospitalization data for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) were obtained using the SIVEP-Gripe Database. All hospitalized adults who were diagnosed as COVID-19 or unspecified SARS, between January and December 2020, were included in the analysis. Logistic regression models were fitted to evaluate the risk of death between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, adjusted for age, sex, and comorbidities. RESULTS: A total of 388,657 hospital registers for Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo (91,532 and 297,125, respectively) were analyzed. Missing data are frequent in the database and it was greater in Rio de Janeiro, at the state and capital levels. Adjusting for confounders, the odds ratio of dying by COVID-19, comparing the state of Rio de Janeiro with São Paulo, was 2.51 in the private hospitals and 2.29 in the public ones. For the capitals, the scenario is worse. The lethality among hospitalized patients with COVID-19 is at least twice in Rio de Janeiro than São Paulo, both at the states and capitals. The public or private services showed important differences, with odds ratios of 2.74 and 3.46, respectively. CONCLUSION: It appears that the worst governance in the health sector in Rio de Janeiro, more than lack of resources, explains the excess mortality of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Rio de Janeiro.

Excess mortality in Brazil in times of Covid-19. / Excesso de mortalidade no Brasil em tempos de COVID-19.

Given the growing number of deaths due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil, this study presents an initial and exploratory descriptive analysis of the excess mortality observed from March to May 2020 in capitals and other municipalities. The data source was the death registers from the Civil Registry Offices. The data were disaggregated by gender and capitals and other municipalities of the 26 federative units and the Federal District. The standardized mortality ratio for 2020 was calculated with the 2019 mortality coefficients as standards. The results showed 39,146 excess deaths for the period studied and is higher among men. This increase was more significant among the capitals of the North, Northeast, and Southeast regions. In the other municipalities in these regions, the increase was observed in May, indicating a possible inland-bound COVID-19 transmission. The need to improve the detection and registration of cases is highlighted to enable the efficient monitoring of the pandemic.

Cancer mortality in the Capitals and in the interior of Brazil: a four-decade analysis.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the trend of mortality from general cancer and more frequent types among men and women living in the Capitals and other municipalities of the five macro-regions of Brazil between 1978 and 2017. METHODS: Time series study with mortality data corrected by redistribution of ill-defined causes. Proportional cancer mortality was calculated for Brazil and regions. The annual percentage change in rates for total cancer and specific types in each segment and in the selected unit of analysis was calculated by generalized linear regression with Gaussian binding. RESULTS: the proportion of cancer increased progressively for both sexes from 1978 to 2017. Important differences between the Capitals and the interior of the macro-regions were seen with disaggregated data. The greatest declines occurred for stomach cancer, except in the northern and interior regions of the Northeast, and for the cervix cancer, with a generalized fall, with the exception of the interior of the northern region. Lung cancer decreased among men in the Southeast and South regions and had a generalized increase among women. Breast and prostate cancers tended to decrease in the Southeast and South regions and among residents of the Capitals but showing an increase in the interior of the North and Northeast regions. Colorectal cancer had a general tendency to increase; with stability among men in the Capitals of the South region and among women of the Southeast and Midwest regions and, since 2007, a decrease among women in the South region. CONCLUSIONS: Cancer mortality showed great variation among residents of capitals and the interior of the country's major regions. Clear decrease in mortality was seen for the main types in the Southeast and South regions. The North and Northeast regions have patterns compatible with cancers associated with poverty, while the large increase of the cancers related to sedentary lifestyle stand out.

Reproductive factors associated with overweight in adult women attended by the Family Health Strategy. / Fatores reprodutivos associados ao excesso de peso em mulheres adultas atendidas pela Estratégia Saúde da Família.

Overweight stands out as a growing health problem in the population, resulting in individual and societal burdens. This study aimed to identify the association between reproductive factors and overweight in women of reproductive age attended by a Primary Health Care Unit (UAPS).This is a cross-sectional study with home capitation and data collection in two PHC Units, in the city of Juiz de Fora (MG), Brazil, in women aged 20 to 59 years, whose outcome was the overweight measured by the Body Mass Index. The prevalence of overweight was 61.0% among the 2,018 women included in the analysis. In the multivariate analysis, overweight was associated with the variables age at menarche before 12 years of age, having children, age greater than or equal to 30years, and hypertension. The prevalence of overweight in women who had menarche before 12 years of age was 12.4% higher than those who had menarche aged 12 years or more, and the prevalence of overweight in women who had children was 58.2% higher than those who never had any. There was a high prevalence of overweight in the adult female population, emphasizing the influence of reproductive factors.

O excesso de peso se destaca como um problema de saúde crescente na população, resultando em ônus para o indivíduo e para a sociedade. O objetivo deste artigo é identificar a associação entre os fatores reprodutivos e o excesso de peso em mulheres de 20 a 59 anos de áreas cobertas pela Unidade de Atenção Primária à Saúde. Trata-se de um estudo transversal com captação domiciliar e coleta de dados em duas Unidades de Atenção Primária à Saúde, no município de Juiz de Fora, em mulheres de 20 a 59 anos, cujo desfecho foi o Excesso de Peso medido por meio do Índice de Massa Corporal. Entre as 2018 mulheres incluídas na análise, a prevalência de Excesso de Peso foi de 61,0%. Na análise multivariada, o Excesso de Peso apresentou associação com as variáveis idade da menarca antes dos 12 anos, ter filhos, idade maior ou igual a 30 anos e relato de hipertensão arterial. A prevalência de excesso de peso em mulheres que tiveram menarca antes dos 12 anos foi 12,4% maior do que naquelas que a tiveram com 12 anos ou mais; enquanto que a prevalência de Excesso de Peso em mulheres que tiveram filhos foi 58,2% maior do que entre as que nunca tiveram. Foi observada elevada prevalência de Excesso de Peso na população feminina adulta, com ênfase na influência dos fatores reprodutivos.

Cancer survival in five continents: a worldwide population-based study (CONCORD).

BACKGROUND: Cancer survival varies widely between countries. The CONCORD study provides survival estimates for 1.9 million adults (aged 15-99 years) diagnosed with a first, primary, invasive cancer of the breast (women), colon, rectum, or prostate during 1990-94 and followed up to 1999, by use of individual tumour records from 101 population-based cancer registries in 31 countries on five continents. This is, to our knowledge, the first worldwide analysis of cancer survival, with standard quality-control procedures and identical analytic methods for all datasets. METHODS: To compensate for wide international differences in general population (background) mortality by age, sex, country, region, calendar period, and (in the USA) ethnic origin, we estimated relative survival, the ratio of survival noted in the patients with cancer, and the survival that would have been expected had they been subject only to the background mortality rates. 2800 life tables were constructed. Survival estimates were also adjusted for differences in the age structure of populations of patients with cancer. FINDINGS: Global variation in cancer survival was very wide. 5-year relative survival for breast, colorectal, and prostate cancer was generally higher in North America, Australia, Japan, and northern, western, and southern Europe, and lower in Algeria, Brazil, and eastern Europe. CONCORD has provided the first opportunity to estimate cancer survival in 11 states in USA covered by the National Program of Cancer Registries (NPCR), and the study covers 42% of the US population, four-fold more than previously available. Cancer survival in black men and women was systematically and substantially lower than in white men and women in all 16 states and six metropolitan areas included. Relative survival for all ethnicities combined was 2-4% lower in states covered by NPCR than in areas covered by the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Program. Age-standardised relative survival by use of the appropriate race-specific and state-specific life tables was up to 2% lower for breast cancer and up to 5% lower for prostate cancer than with the census-derived national life tables used by the SEER Program. These differences in population coverage and analytical method have both contributed to the survival deficit noted between Europe and the USA, from which only SEER data have been available until now. INTERPRETATION: Until now, direct comparisons of cancer survival between high-income and low-income countries have not generally been available. The information provided here might therefore be a useful stimulus for change. The findings should eventually facilitate joint assessment of international trends in incidence, survival, and mortality as indicators of cancer control.

Lung cancer mortality trends in different urban settings in Brazil, 2000-2015. / Tendência de mortalidade por câncer de pulmão em diferentes contextos urbanos do Brasil, 2000-2015.

OBJECTIVE: to analyze lung cancer mortality trends in Brazil, 2000-2015. METHODS: this was a time series study; lung cancer death records were corrected; linear autoregressive models were used to calculate regression coefficients (ß1) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) in trend analysis according to sex, in the 30 and over age group, for 19 metropolitan areas (MAs) and the interior regions of 14 Brazilian states; positive ß1 indicates upward trends while negative ß1 indicates downward trends. RESULTS: increases were found in males from interior regions of North and Northeastern Brazilian states, especially in Rio Grande do Norte state (ß1=1.03 - 95%CI0.47;1.58); downward trends were also found in males, notably in the Porto Alegre MA (ß1=-2.55 - 95%CI-2.79;-2.31); the highest increase in females was found in the interior of Ceará state (ß1=0.86 - 95%CI0.79;0.92). CONCLUSION: differentiated patterns according to location and sex were revealed; cancer control measures should be considered above all for women and the interior regions of Brazil.

Inequities in access to mammographic screening in Brazil.

Our objectives with this study were to describe the spatial distribution of mammographic screening coverage across small geographical areas (micro-regions) in Brazil, and to analyze whether the observed differences were associated with spatial inequities in socioeconomic conditions, provision of health care, and healthcare services utilization. We performed an area-based ecological study on mammographic screening coverage in the period of 2010-2011 regarding socioeconomic and healthcare variables. The units of analysis were the 438 health micro-regions in Brazil. Spatial regression models were used to study these relationships. There was marked variability in mammographic coverage across micro-regions (median = 21.6%; interquartile range: 8.1%-37.9%). Multivariable analyses identified high household income inequality, low number of radiologists/100,000 inhabitants, low number of mammography machines/10,000 inhabitants, and low number of mammograms performed by each machine as independent correlates of poor mammographic coverage at the micro-region level. There was evidence of strong spatial dependence of these associations, with changes in one micro-region affecting neighboring micro-regions, and also of geographical heterogeneities. There were substantial inequities in access to mammographic screening across micro-regions in Brazil, in 2010-2011, with coverage being higher in those with smaller wealth inequities and better access to health care.

Interobserver reliability in the classification of pairs of records formed by probabilistic linkage of SISMAMA databases. / Confiabilidade interobservadores na classificação de pares formados no relacionamento probabilístico entre bases de dados do SISMAMA.

INTRODUCTION: The study assessed interobserver reliability in the classification of record pairs formed during probabilistic linkage of health-related databases, a key step in the methodology validation to be used in a larger on-going study on inequalities in the access to breast and cervical cancer control activities in Brazil (DAAC-SIS). METHODOLOGY: The RecLink software was used to link two databases of the Breast Cancer Control Information System (SISMAMA) in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil: a reference database, which included 301 screening mammograms with probable benign diagnosis (BI-RADS 3 category) recorded in October 2010, and a database comprising 158,517 mammograms registered in 2011. Subsequently, the 215 pairs of records that were not assigned the maximum RecLink score were independently classified as being true or false by ten independent evaluators from four participating centers. RESULTS: The Kappa coefficient ranged from 0.87 to 1.00. Six evaluators were in perfect agreement with one or more evaluators from the other centers. The global Kappa was 0.96 (95% confidence interval - 95%CI 0.94 - 0.99). DISCUSSION: Assessment of interobserver reliability is key to ensuring the quality of the record linkage, and it should be routine practice in studies of this nature. The disclosure of such results contributes to transparency in the conduct of such studies and in the reporting of their findings. CONCLUSION: Interobserver reliability in this study was excellent, indicating satisfactory team consistency in the classification of record pairs.

INTRODUÇÃO: O estudo avaliou a confiabilidade interobservadores na classificação de pares de registros formados durante o processo de relacionamento probabilístico, sendo uma das etapas de validação da metodologia a ser utilizada em pesquisa sobre desigualdades de acesso às ações de controle dos cânceres de mama e do colo do útero no Brasil (DAAC-SIS). METODOLOGIA: O programa RecLink foi usado para relacionar as bases de dados do Sistema de Informação do Controle do Câncer de Mama (SISMAMA) do estado de Minas Gerais, tendo como referência 301 mamografias de rastreamento com resultado provavelmente benigno (categoria BI-RADS 3), registradas em outubro de 2010 e, como comparação, 158.517 mamografias registradas em 2011. Posteriormente, 215 pares de registros, que não obtiveram o escore máximo atribuído pelo RecLink, foram classificados independentemente por dez avaliadores, de quatro centros participantes da pesquisa, como pares verdadeiros ou falsos. RESULTADOS: O coeficiente Kappa variou de 0,87 a 1,00. Seis avaliadores obtiveram concordância perfeita com um ou mais avaliadores de outros centros. O Kappa global foi 0,96 (intervalo de confiança de 95% - IC95% 0,94 - 0,99). DISCUSSÃO: A avaliação interobservadores foi fundamental para garantir a qualidade do processo de relacionamento, e a sua prática deve ser rotina em estudos dessa natureza. A divulgação desses resultados contribui para a transparência na condução e no relato do estudo em curso. CONCLUSÃO: A confiabilidade interobservadores foi excelente, sinalizando homogeneidade satisfatória da equipe na classificação dos pares de registros.

Assessment of the production of cervical cancer care procedures in the Brazilian National Health System in 2015. / Avaliação da produção de procedimentos da linha de cuidado do câncer do colo do útero no Sistema Único de Saúde do Brasil em 2015.

OBJECTIVE: to assess the procedures production of screening, diagnostic investigation and precursor lesions treatment for cervical cancer in the Brazilian National Health System (SUS). METHODS: normative evaluation with calculation of estimates of need based on national screening guidelines in two scenarios: organized (1) and opportunistic (2) screening; data were obtained from the SUS Ambulatory Care Information System and the Cervical Cancer Information System. RESULTS: considering the scenario 1, the production of cytopathologic exams (-46,9%) and biopsies (-44.9%) was below the necessary in Brazil, whereas colposcopy (61.3%) and precursor lesions treatments (37.4%) were above; in scenario 2, biopsies were below the necessary (-48.5%) whilst colposcopy (193.9%) and precursor lesions treatments (28.4%) were above. CONCLUSION: there were deficits in cytopathologic exams and biopsies and excess of colposcopies and treatment of precursor lesions in Brazil.

Temporal trend and associated factors to advanced stage at diagnosis of cervical cancer: analysis of data from hospital based cancer registries in Brazil, 2000-2012. / Tendências temporais e fatores associados ao diagnóstico em estágio avançado de câncer do colo uterino: análise dos dados dos registros hospitalares de câncer no Brasil, 2000-2012.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the time trend and analyze the determinants of stage at diagnosis of cervical cancer in Brazil. METHODS: Time trend analysis and cross-sectional study using data from hospital-based cancer registries (2000-2012); multinomial and joinpoint regression statistical models were used. RESULTS: 65.843 cases were analyzed; the median interval between diagnosis and treatment was 59 days; the percentage of advanced staging increased, annual percent change 1.10% (95%CI 0.80;1.50); women with higher education (compared to unlettered) had less odds of late stage diagnosis (OR=0.38; 95%CI 0.31;0.47); among indigenous (OR=2.38; 95%CI 1.06;5.33) and black women (OR=1.16; 95%CI 1.02;1.31), compared to white, and in the North region (OR=2.55; 95%CI 2.26;2.89), compared to the Southeast, the odds was higher; other factors positively related to advanced stage were 'age', 'histology', and marital status'. Conclusion Inequities affect the odds of late stage diagnosis of cervical cancer.

Women screened for breast cancer: follow-up through Health Information Systems, Brazil, 2010-2012. / Mulheres rastreadas para câncer de mama: acompanhamento por meio dos sistemas de informações em saúde, 2010-2012.

OBJECTIVE: to describe the two-years follow-up of women with screening mammography showing lesions suspected or highly suspected of malignancy in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. METHODS: this was a descriptive study of the care line using Health Information Systems (SIS) data on women who underwent screening mammography in the Brazilian National Health System (SUS) in the second half of 2010. RESULTS: of the 206 women studied, 13.1% had their mammograms requested by Primary Health Centers; during follow-up 102 (49.5%) were identified on at least one SIS; of these, 12 had biopsy information, all of which was positive for breast cancer; 93 had treatment, one of whom had benign disease; 12 died from breast cancer; the proportion of women identified as having treatment was higher among those with suspected high malignancy and palpable lesions (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: information on the breast cancer care line was partially recovered through SIS records.