Mortality from malignant neoplasms in the Republic of North Macedonia in the period from 2010 to 2018

Abstract

The aim of the paper was to provide data on the situation and the trend of the mortality rate from malignant neoplasms in the population of the Republic of North Macedonia (RNM) in the period 2010-2018 along with the most common causes of death from malignant neoplasms in 2018, with a special reference to the distribution of mortality by sex and age. Material and methods: A retrospective study was performed using epidemiological descriptive methodology. Data were statistically analyzed. The mortality rates for malignant neoplasms were estimated at 100,000 inhabitants. Data are displayed in tables and figures in total number for the Republic of North Macedonia. The data for the number of deaths were obtained from the State Statistical Office and processed and analyzed at the Institute of Public Health of RNM. Results: A total of 19,727 people died in RNM in 2018, and malignant diseases accounted for 18.9% of the total mortality and they were the second-rated cause of death behind the cardiovascular diseases, with 3,734 deaths or a rate of 179.8 deaths per 100,000 citizens. Of the total number of deaths from malignant neoplasms in RNM in 2018, a larger number of men died compared to women, and most of them (31.3%) died from malignant neoplasms of the bronchi and lungs. In 2018, in RNM, females mostly died from malignant breast neoplasms (18.3%) and 13.1% from malignant neoplasms of the bronchi and lungs. In the period 2010-2018, the mortality rate from malignant neoplasms in people aged 0-64 years decreased by 87.5 in 2010 to 79.2 in 2018 per 100,000 population. The same phenomenon was present in the population over the age of 65; it was 881.1 per 100,000 population in 2010 and 805.1 in 2018. Conclusion: Cancer is the second leading cause of death in RNM as well as globally. In 2018, 1 in 5 deaths were due to malignant diseases in RNM, while in the world 1 in 6 deaths were due to cancer. About one-third from cancer deaths are due to the five leading behavioral and dietary risks: high body mass index, low fruit and vegetable intake, lack of physical activity, tobacco and alcohol use.