Premature mortality and years of potential productive life lost due to HPV-attributable cancers in Brazil and Mexico: 2011 Versus 2023
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Human papillomavirus (HPV) remains a preventable cause of cancer mortality in Latin America. Using 2011 and 2023 mortality data from Brazil and Mexico, we estimated HPV-attributable cancer deaths, years of life lost (YLL), average YLL, and years of potential productive life lost (YPPLL) by sex, age, and cancer type, applying attributable fractions. WHO life tables were used in sensitivity analyses. HPV‑attributable deaths were higher in 2023 than in 2011, increasing from 6,515 to 9,533 in Brazil (YLL +44.6%) and from 4,303 to 4,997 in Mexico (YLL +21.4%). These absolute differences were consistent with demographic change, while age-standardized mortality rates changed more modestly. Cervical cancer dominated the burden in both countries. Among men, oropharyngeal YLL was 33.5% and 74.6% higher in Brazil and Mexico in 2023 relative to 2011; the corresponding differences for penile cancer were 54.8% and 37.7%, respectively. Anal cancer YLL showed the largest relative differences in Brazil (+159.1% in women; +203.8% in men), whereas Mexico showed a smaller difference (+32.8% in men). Although deaths were concentrated at ≥60y, substantial YLL and YPPLL occurred at younger age groups. In 2023, YPPLL totaled 97,404 y in Brazil and 51,735 y in Mexico, 43.9% and 26.7% higher than in 2011, respectively. WHO‑based sensitivity analyses yielded higher absolute YLL estimates but preserved relative patterns. These findings reveal a persistent and preventable burden of premature mortality and YPPLL from HPV‑attributable cancers in Brazil and Mexico, underscoring the need for expanded HPV vaccination, screening, timely diagnosis, and equitable treatment across affected cancer sites.
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,175
OpenAlex ID: W7212036156