Antigua/Barbuda Cancer Mortality Study

Objective: To determine the cancer mortality rates in Antigua and Barbuda in an effort to enhance the profile of the country’s cancer burden. Method: Available data for 2001 to 2005 were analysed to obtain cancer mortality rates. Analysis was also made of the mortality/incidence ratios. Results: There were 354 cancer deaths – 208 males (age standardized rates [ASR] 111.9) and 146 females (ASR 66.3). The main causes were prostate (ASR 53) and breast (ASR 22). The mortality rates for cancers of the lung (ASR 5.09 males, 2.49 females) and brain/nervous system (ASR 0.45 males, 1.7 females) were significantly lower than those in the Caribbean. Conclusion: Mortality rates were highest for sex-specif ic cancers, accounting for more than 50% of cancer deaths.