DEATHS FROM MALIGNANT NEOPLASMS OF THE BRONCHI AND LUNGS IN THE LAST DECADE IN BRAZIL: INSIGHTS FOR IMPROVING PUBLIC HEALTH

Introduction: According to Brazil's National Cancer Institute, lung cancer had become one of the leading causes of preventable deaths by the end of the 20th century. However, malignant neoplasms of the bronchi and lungs remain one of the primary causes of mortality in Brazil. Therefore, it is necessary to study the epidemiological profile of these patients to develop better public health policies targeting the main at-risk group. Methods: This is a retrospective epidemiological study on deaths caused by malignant neoplasms of the bronchi and lungs in Brazil between January 2014 and December 2023. Secondary data were collected and analyzed from the Department of Information and Informatics of the Unified Health System. Results: Between 2014 and 2023, 282,647 deaths were recorded due to malignant neoplasms of the bronchi and lungs in Brazil, with the highest number (31,150) reported in 2023. The most affected group were individuals aged 60 to 79 years, accounting for approximately 60% of total deaths nationwide. Men were 1.3 times more affected than women, and white individuals (60.29%) were the most affected by the neoplasm. Conclusions: The results highlight that, despite being preventable, lung cancer continues to affect thousands of Brazilians as of 2023. The epidemiological profile derived from the patterns and trends of this neoplasm over the years indicates a higher prevalence of deaths among white men aged 60 to 79 years. This characteristic may be associated with the accumulation of predisposing factors over the years and the specific risk factors for this group, such as smoking. By outlining the profile of these deaths, it becomes possible to design better prevention and treatment policies targeting the most vulnerable group affected by this type of cancer.