Regional disparities of prostate cancer mortality in Ecuador: an examination of trends and correlates from 2004 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: Prostate cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in Ecuadorian men. However, there is a lack of information regarding the evolution of prostate cancer mortality rates in Ecuador and its regions in the last few decades. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to report prostate cancer mortality rates in Ecuador and its geographical areas and observe the evolution of these rates between 2004 and 2019. METHODS: An observational ecological study was conducted, analysing data for prostate cancer deaths from 2004 to 2019 in Ecuador. Age standardized mortality rates (ASMR) were calculated per 100,000 men using the world standard population with the direct method proposed by SEGI. Joinpoint regression analysis was performed to examine mortality trends. We used a Cluster Map to explore relationships among regions between 2015 and 2019. RESULTS: Ecuador reported 13,419 deaths by prostate cancer between 2004 and 2019, with the Coastal region accounting for 49.8% of the total deaths. The mean age at death was 79 years (± 10 years), 91.7% were elderly (more than 65 years old) and had primary education (53%). Deaths by prostate cancer were more frequently reported among mestizos (81.4%). There were no significant variations in these percentages in Ecuador and its regions during the study period. Carchi province had the highest mortality rate in 2005 and 2019 (> 13 deaths per 100,000). Heterogeneity in the evolution of mortality rates was reported among the provinces of Ecuador. Azuay decreased in the first few years, and then increased from 2010 to 2019, whereas Guayas and Pichincha decreased throughout the whole period. CONCLUSION: Although prostate cancer mortality rates in Ecuador have remained stable over the past few decades, there are significant disparities among the different regions. These findings suggest the need for the development of national and provincial registration measures, integrated healthcare actions, and targeted interventions to reduce the burden of prostate cancer in the Ecuadorian population.

Identification of Genetic Variants of Human Papillomavirus in a Group of Mexican HIV/AIDS Patients and Their Possible Association with Cervical Cancer.

Infections caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) cause thousands of deaths worldwide each year. So far, there has been no consensus on whether there is a direct relationship between the incidence of neoplasms and the immunosuppression caused by HIV that could help understand if coinfection increases the likelihood of cervical cancer. The objective of the study was to identify the presence of genetic variants of HPV in a group of HIV-positive women and their possible association with cervical cancer. Cervical samples were taken from HIV-positive patients for cytological analysis to identify the HPV genotype by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing. The most prevalent L1 capsid protein mutations in the HPV genotype were analyzed in silico. Various types of HPV were identified, both high-risk (HR) and low-risk (LR). The most prevalent genotype was HPV51. Analysis of the L1 gene sequences of HPV51 isolates showed nucleotide variations. Of the samples analyzed in Puebla, Mexico, HPV51 had the highest incidence (17.5%, 7/40). Different mutations, which could be used as population markers, were detected in this area, and they have not been reported in the L1 databases for HPV51 in Mexico. Genotypes 6, 14, 86, 87, 89, and 91, not detected or reported in samples from patients with HPV in Mexico, were also identified. Data from the population analyzed suggest no direct relationship between HIV immunosuppression and cervical cancer, regardless of the high- or low-risk HPV genotype. Furthermore, it is possible to develop regional population markers for the detection of HPV based on the mutations that occur in the sequence of nucleotides analyzed.

Trends and geographic pattern of stomach cancer mortality in Peru.

BACKGROUND: Stomach cancer mortality rates in South America are among the highest in the world. In Peru, stomach cancer has the highest absolute number of cancer deaths in both sexes combined. We estimated mortality rates for stomach cancer in Peru by sex and geographical region between 2008 and 2015. METHODS: We obtained death data for stomach cancer from the Peruvian Ministry of Health database. We estimated the age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) per 100,000 persons using the direct method and the world standard population. RESULTS: A total of 25,020 deaths from stomach cancer were identified in the study period. At national level, stomach cancer mortality rates (per 100,000 population) for men ranged from 9.8 in 2008 to 8.8 in 2015 with a percent change of -16%, and for women from 8.8 in 2008 to 7.7 in 2015 with a percent change of -16.8%. The highlands had the highest mortality rates overall, mainly in Huancavelica and Huánuco. The rainforest had the lowest rates and the highest decline in stomach cancer ASMRs. The coast displayed intermediate rates overall. CONCLUSIONS: Within the study period, mortality rates from stomach cancer in Peru declined by 16%. The highlands had the highest mortality rates as compared to those from the coast or rainforest region. These geographical differences in mortality could reflect a different distribution in stomach cancer risk factors as the prevalence of H. pylori, poor dietary habits, low socioeconomic background of the Andean population and the lack of a decentralized health system.