Mortalidad por melanoma en Chile: 1990-2013

Abstract

BackgroundMelanoma mortality rates have remained high in most countries. The aim of this work is to determine the factors associated with melanoma mortality (MM) in Chile between 1990 and 2013. MethodologyData about MM was obtained from the Chilean Ministry of Health: global mortality rates (GMR) and specific mortality rates were calculated. The population was characterised by sex, age, educational level, geographical area, and anatomical location of melanoma. ResultsGMR has remained stable and low during the whole period: from 0.63 to 0.68 per 100,000. MM is higher in men, older age, and with higher education level. South of the country is the place where most of melanoma deaths occur (without considering the over-represented Metropolitan Region). The most frequent anatomical locations, were head/face and acral. DiscussionLow rates probably are associated with low incidence. Most of the deaths that occur in men, older age, and higher education level were probably associated to a delay in diagnosis, the aging of the Chilean population, and higher mortality reported in the higher income group. Southern Chile has high UV radiation exposure, and it is where most of the European immigrants (fair skinned) live. Head and acral distribution is most common in the mixed raced population.