Head and neck cancer burden and preventive measures in Central and South America.
OBJECTIVE
Central and South America comprise one of the areas characterized by high incidence rates for head and neck cancer. We describe the geographical and temporal trends in incidence and mortality of head and neck cancers in the Central and South American region in order to identify opportunities for intervention on the major identified risk factors: tobacco control, alcohol use and viral infections.


METHODS
We obtained regional- and national-level incidence data from 48 population-based cancer registries in 13 countries and cancer deaths from the WHO mortality database for 18 countries. Age-standardized incidence (ASR) and mortality (ASMR) rates per 100,000 person-years were estimated.


RESULTS
Brazil had the highest incidence rates for oral and pharyngeal cancer in the region for both sexes, followed by Cuba, Uruguay and Argentina. Cuba had the highest incidence and mortality rates of laryngeal cancer in the region for males and females. Overall, males had rates about four times higher than those in females. Most countries in the region have implemented WHO recommendations for both tobacco and alcohol public policy control.


CONCLUSIONS
Head and neck squamous-cell cancer (HNSCC) incidence and mortality rates in the Central and South America region vary considerably across countries, with Brazil, Cuba, French Guyana, Uruguay and Argentina experiencing the highest rates in the region. Males carry most of the HNSCC burden. Improvement and implementation of comprehensive tobacco and alcohol control policies as well as the monitoring of these factors are fundamental to prevention of head and neck cancers in the region.
International Agency for Research on Cancer, Section of Genetics, France. Electronic address: perdomos@fellows.iarc.fr.
Sandra
S
Perdomo
Hospital Julio C. Perrando, Oncology Department, Argentina.
Guillermo
G
Martin Roa
International Agency for Research on Cancer, Section of Genetics, France.
Paul
P
Brennan
International Agency for Research on Cancer, Section of Cancer Surveillance, France.
David
D
Forman
International Agency for Research on Cancer, Section of Cancer Surveillance, France.
Mónica S
MS
Sierra
Americas; Epidemiology; Head and neck; Neoplasms