Home versus hospital mortality from cancer in Mexico (1999-2009).

Objective: To analyze the place of death from cancer in México from 1999 to 2009 and find the associated factors.

Methods: We collected data on mortality by cancer from the national database including age, gender, area of residence, level of education, place of death, and type of cancer.

Results: The proportion of deaths at home and hospital was 55.67% and 39%, respectively. Factors associated with home deaths were old age, female gender, rural area of residence, and lack of formal education. There was a short but significant decrease in home deaths for cervical cancer and leukemia.

Conclusions: In México, mortality in home is greater than in hospital for patients with cancer. Our results have important implications for palliative care professionals and health services of México.