Background: Cancer is considered a major public health problem due to its increasing incidence and high mortality. This study aims to identify risk factors for cancer mortality in Spain.
Methods: Retrospective population-based cohort study in 20,397 participants of the 2011/2012 National Health Survey in Spain. Risk factors associated with mortality due to neoplasm from 2011 to 2017 were analyzed, and hazard ratios were calculated with a multivariate Cox model with competing risks for mortality from other causes.
Results: Myocardial infarction, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cirrhosis, and mental disorders were associated with an increased risk of mortality due to neoplasm. Male sex, age over 50 years, history or current smoking habit, negligible intake of legumes, and poorer self-perceived health were also associated with increased cancer mortality.
Conclusions: Comorbidities, tobacco use, poor diet, and worse self-perceived health were the main risk factors for cancer mortality in Spain.
Keywords: cancer; epidemiology; mortality; risk factors.