[Trends in home deaths among cancer death in Osaka, Japan-1995-2006].

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the present study was to confirm the recent trends in home deaths among cancer deaths in Osaka Prefecture.

METHODS

The number of home deaths and their proportion among cancer deaths were calculated using the data from Osaka Cancer Registry according to the primary origin and region. The correlation between the proportion and the number of home care clinics (per 10 thousand population) was examined among 56 municipalities in Osaka Prefecture.

RESULTS

The number of home deaths(the proportion of home deaths among cancer deaths)has continuously increased from 875 (4.6%) in 1995 to 1,544 (6.6%) in 2006. The proportions increased gradually in most second-level medical-care areas. Since 2004, the proportion in the Toyono medical-care area has increased rapidly and reached 10.6% in 2006. The municipalities with the highest and the lowest proportion were Kishiwada City (11.9%) and Minato Ward (2.9%), respectively. There were no significant correlations between the proportion of home deaths and the number of home care clinics per population. The proportions of cancers of the lung, colorectum, stomach, pancreas and breast gradually increased from around 5% in 1995 to around 7% in 2006. The proportions for cancer of the liver, esophagus and bile duct doubled from around 3% in 1995 to around 6% in 2006. The proportion for hematologic tumor has been leveling off at around 3%.

CONCLUSIONS

The proportion of home deaths among cancer deaths has increased in 1995-2006. Regional differences were also observed. It is necessary to develop the home care system according to the regional characteristics.