Temporal Trends and Regional Disparities in Breast Cancer Mortality Among Women Under 40 Years Old in Brazil
Giovana Rech, Yasmin Marques Loureiro, Rafaela Coelho Pires, Júlia Larsen Dorcínio, Larissa Mendes FelinPURPOSE
Breast cancer in women under 40 years of age represents a public health challenge due to its association with more aggressive tumor subtypes, delayed diagnosis, and limited inclusion in screening programs. Regional disparities in access to healthcare may further worsen outcomes. This study aims to analyze temporal trends and regional differences in breast cancer mortality among young women in Brazil between 2015 and 2024.
METHODS
A retrospective, ecological, descriptive, and quantitative study was conducted using secondary data extracted from the Mortality Information System and the Hospital Information System of the Brazilian Unified Health System. Sociodemographic variables, hospitalizations, hospital expenditures, deaths, and mortality rates were evaluated.
RESULTS
Between 2015 and 2024, there were 12,536 deaths from malignant breast neoplasms among women under 40 years of age in Brazil, with a 19.8% increase over the period (from 1,131 in 2015 to 1,355 in 2024). The Southeast Region accounted for the highest number of deaths, representing 49.5% of cases, followed by the Northeast (24.7%) and the South (15%). Most deaths occurred among women aged 30-39 years (89.6%) and white women (49.8%). During the same period, 82,191 hospitalizations were recorded, with 44.1% occurring in the Southeast Region, 27.1% in the Northeast, and 18.4% in the South. Total hospital expenses reached BRL 189.9 million. The Southeast had the highest expenditures, totaling BRL 79.8 million, followed by the Northeast (BRL 56.8 million) and the South (BRL 36.3 million). The North Region had the highest average mortality rate in the country (9.07), consistently remaining above the national average (6.06), while the South Region had the lowest average rate (4.71), staying below the Brazilian average throughout the entire period.
CONCLUSION
An increase in mortality, hospitalizations, and hospital costs related to breast cancer among young women was observed in Brazil, in addition to significant regional disparities. More vulnerable regions showed higher mortality rates, possibly related to difficulties in accessing early diagnosis and specialized treatment. These findings reinforce the need to expand early detection and strengthen oncological care in regions with lower access to healthcare.