Cancer is the second leading cause of death after CVD amongst LAC countries, producing over 740 000 deaths in 2022 in the region (Ferlay J, 2024[1]). Only about 5% to 10% of all cancers are inherited, meaning that modifiable risk factors such as smoking, obesity, exercise, and environmental exposures, explain as much as 90‑95% of all cancer cases (Whiteman and Wilson, 2016[2]). Prevention, early detection, and treatment remain at the forefront of the tools to reduce the burden of cancer.
The regional average cancer mortality rate in LAC33 was 116.2 per 100 000 population in 2023, considerably higher than the OECD average of 107 (Figure 3.15). Amongst the 25 LAC countries for which WHO mortality data were available, cancer deaths were less common in Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador and Panama, with rates below 80 deaths per 100 000 population, and highest in Saint Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, with over 145 deaths per 100 000 population. Overall cancer mortality has decreased in the LAC25 region by 4% since 2010, far below the 18% decrease observed in OECD countries. Saint Kitts and Nevis and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, experienced the largest increases in the region, at 41.6% and 35.2%, respectively. Cancer mortality rates were higher in men than in women in all LAC33 countries, except Peru, in 2023 (Figure 3.15). While overall cancer mortality among females is similar between OECD and LAC25 countries, the male‑to-female cancer mortality ratio is higher in OECD countries, at 1.50, compared to 1.40 in LAC25 countries. In LAC25, the highest male cancer mortality rates were observed in Saint Kitts and Nevis and Jamaica, at 247.9 and 208.6 deaths per 100 000 population, respectively. Among women, the highest rates were reported in Dominica and Saint Kitts and Nevis, both exceeding 120 deaths per 100 000 population.
In 2023, prostate, colorectal, and lung cancers, including also trachea and bronchus, were the leading causes of cancer mortality in the LAC25 region, accounting for 13.4%, 9.5%, and 9.3% of all cancer deaths, respectively (Figure 3.16). In OECD countries, the pattern was different with lung, colorectal and breast cancers leading cancer mortality, accounting for 18.3%, 11.1% and 6.9% of cancers deaths, respectively. Compared with OECD countries, colorectal and lung cancer accounted for a smaller share of cancer deaths in LAC25, while prostate and cervical cancers represented a larger share. This higher proportion of prostate and cervical cancer may be explained by limited early detection, lower HPV vaccination coverage, and delays in treatment. Prostate cancer accounted for over 25% of cancer deaths in Grenada, Dominica and Saint Kitts and Nevis. Colorectal cancer mortality is more prominent in some higher income countries such as Chile, Costa Rica, Argentina, Uruguay, and Trinidad and Tobago, representing more than 12% of cancer deaths. For lung cancer, the distribution varied considerably among LAC25 countries, from more than 15% of cancer deaths in Cuba and Uruguay to less than 5% in Dominica, Antigua and Barbuda and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. Breast cancer represents a higher proportion of deaths in Grenada, Dominica, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, and Antigua and Barbuda (more than 11%), and a lower share in Peru and Guatemala (below 6%). Stomach cancer deaths account for higher shares in Guatemala, Ecuador and Peru (over 13% of all cancer deaths) and the lowest in Antigua and Barbuda (below 2%). Liver cancer mortality accounted for less than 8% of cancer deaths in all LAC25 countries, except in Guatemala and Nicaragua, where it represented 20.9% and 11.6%, respectively. Finally, cervical cancer is responsible for over 11.6% of cancer deaths in Haiti, significantly higher than the LAC33 average of 5.3%.
To address the growing burden of cancer, targeted and equity-driven interventions are critically needed, including evidence‑based treatments, early diagnosis and effective screening programmes (Piñeros et al., 2022[3]). Moreover, significant gaps in preventable cancer deaths with the OECD indicate that cancer control planning in the LAC region will be more effective and efficient by targeting risk factors such as smoking, physical activity and overweight/obesity.
