Background: According to the Global Cancer Observatory 2020 report, pancreatic cancer occupies the 11th position among the leading causes of cancer-related mortality in both sexes, with nearly 500,000 deaths annually worldwide. This study aimed to evaluate the trend of mortality due to pancreatic cancer in Montenegro from 1990 to 2018 and to contribute to the effective planning of preventive strategies for pancreatic cancer as well as future health policies and initiatives. Methods: We utilized national data on the causes of death from pancreatic cancer and codes 157 from the 9th and C25 from the 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases. The trend was described by using Joinpoint, Poisson, and linear regression. Results: Mortality rates of pancreatic cancer in Montenegro consistently increased (P < 0.05) for the overall level for both men and women, with the average annual percentage change (AAPC) in the AAPC order (95% confidence interval): 1.7% (0.9%–2.5%) overall, 1.3% (0.4%–2.1%) in men, and 2.2% (0.9%–3.5%) in women. The majority of those who died from pancreatic cancer were aged 65–74 years (32.7%), 55–64 years (26.3%), and 75–84 years (24.1%). Conclusions: The persistent increase in pancreatic cancer mortality rates in Montenegro, observed in both men and women, highlights a concerning public health trend. With the highest proportion of deaths occurring among individuals aged 55–84 years, these findings underscore the urgent need for policymakers to implement a national strategy targeting early detection, prevention, and improved management, especially among the most affected age groups.

Oesophageal cancer (OC) is a significant public health issue, despite the decreasing trends in OC mortality rates observed globally in the past decades. The objective of our study is to analyze the pattern of OC mortality in Montenegro between 1990 and 2018 and contribute to the development of a national long-term strategy for the prevention and control of this malignancy. The data on OC death cases in Montenegro between 1990 and 2018 were collected. The mortality rates were standardized according to the World Standard Population. The Joinpoint, Linear and Poisson regressions were applied to analyze the OC mortality trend. Joinpoint regression analysis showed an increase in death rates for men and the overall level which were not statistically significant. However, the number of cases increases significantly with an average annual percentage change (AAPC) increase of 2.6% for the overall level [AAPC (95% CI)=2.6 (1.0–4.2); P = 0.002] at the expense of the increase in men, which on average was 2.6% annually [AAPC (95%CI) = 2.6 (1.2–4.1); P = 0.001]. The age groups 55–64 and 65–74 have the highest percentage of deaths cases from OC with 30.6% and 31.4%, respectively. Montenegro has witnessed a recent increase in the number of deaths from OC, although the mortality rates remain stable. National strategies to further reduce mortality rates for OC are necessary. Individuals aged 55–64 and 65–74 need specific attention during the ongoing monitoring of this cancer.

Background: Ovarian cancer was one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women. This cancer is difficult to diagnose early since there is no public screening program for early identification, which results in low survival rates. This study aimed to investigate trends in ovarian cancer mortality from 1990 to 2018 in Montenegro, using regression techniques. Objectives: Data on ovarian cancer mortality in Montenegro from 1990 to 2018 were collected. Materials and Methods: Mortality rates were age-standardized to the World Standard Population to estimate overall and age-specific trends. To find the changes in the ovarian cancer mortality trend over time, joinpoint, linear, and Poisson regressions were used. Results: Resuming the period from 1990 to 2018, 418 women in Montenegro died from ovarian cancer. The average number of deaths per year was 14.4, and the average age-standardized rate was 3.0/100,000. Joinpoint regression identified consistently increasing ovarian mortality rates with an average annual percentage change (AAPC) of 1.9% (AAPC [95% confidence interval (CI)]: 1.9 [0.6–3.3]). Moreover, the number of cases increases by an average of 3.5% per year (AAPC [95% CI] =3.5 [2.2–4.7], P < 0.001). The highest rates were recorded in the age group of 75–84 years (16.4/100,000) and the age group of 65–74 years (14.3/100,000). Conclusion: The explanation for the rise in ovarian cancer mortality in Montenegro is unknown. However, this study emphasizes the significance of paying greater attention to ovarian cancer and undertaking additional research to discover the underlying causes of this unfavorable trend.

Context: Childhood pre-obesity and obesity rates have been rapidly growing worldwide over the past decades. Copper homeostasis is gaining increasing attention in the physiopathology of obesity. Strong evidence indicates that a disturbance of copper homeostasis plays an important role in the development of obesity and its related comorbidities. Under physiological conditions, copper plays a significant role in regulatory, immunologic, and antioxidant functions resulting in protection against inflammation and oxidative stress, and consequently against the known comorbidities of obesity. Nevertheless, despite the growing body of research, information about copper status in obesity, particularly in childhood obesity, is scarce. Evidence Acquisition: This brief narrative review examines the latest data published in the last five years using various databases, such as PubMed, Scopus, Unpaywall (COBISS), and EBSCO to emphasize the major current findings in research related to this topic. Results: The most recent studies have yielded strong evidence in support of altered copper status in childhood obesity; nevertheless. Conclusions: Further studies are needed to clarify the role of copper in the physiopathology of childhood obesity.

Objective: Liver cancer is the third most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Hepatitis B and C infections are the main factors affecting mortality. During recent years, Montenegro conducted activities on eradication of viral hepatitis according to the global strategy for the primary prevention of liver cancer mortality. The objective of this study was to assess the liver cancer mortality trend in Montenegro for the period of 1990–2018 using regression techniques. Methods: liver cancer mortality data in Montenegro from 1990 to 2018 were collected. Mortality rates were age standardized to the World Standard Population. The joinpoint, linear and Poisson regressions were used to assess liver cancer mortality trends both overall and gender specific. Results: The mortality trend was constant, with no significant increase or decrease in mortality rates both at the overall level and by gender. The number of cases, however, increases significantly at the overall level by an average of 1.4% per year [average annual percentage change (AAPC) (95% confidence interval, CI): 1.4 (0.5–2.3); P = 0.004] and in women by 1.9% per year [AAPC (95% CI): 1.9 (0.8–3.1); P = 0.002]. In men, there was no change in the number of cases. The three age groups most burdened by mortality from liver cancer were 65–74 (34.9%), 75–84 (26.6%) and 55–64 (25.8%). Conclusion: The consistent implementation of prevention measures and hepatitis virus infection treatment has played a role in partially favorable liver cancer mortality trends in Montenegro. It is crucial to closely monitor guidelines for this cancer and give particular attention to the elderly population as the most affected.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in Europe. This study aimed to investigate CRC mortality trends in Montenegro from 1990 to 2018 and critically review the impact of preventive activities on cancer suppression in this country. We used the national CRC mortality data categorized by sex and age. Mortality rates were age-standardized according to the World Standard Population. The trends were described using regression techniques. In the period from 1990 to 2018, there was a significant increase in CRC mortality (P < .05). The death rates and the number of deaths from CRC were constantly increasing for both the overall level and gender, with the mean annual percentage change for the rates respectively average annual percent change (95% confidence interval—CI): 2.6% (1.9–3.2), 2.6% (1.8–3.5); 2.3% (1.3–3.3), and for the number of cases, respectively: 4.2% (3.5–4.9), 4.3% (3.3–5.3), 4.3% (3.2–5.5). The most affected age groups were 65 to 74 years (33%), followed by those aged 75 to 84 years (25%) and the age group 55 to 64 (22%). In Montenegro, CRC mortality trends are increasing among both men and women over the age of 45. Additional research on the risk factors and mechanisms that contribute to the unfavorable trends in CRC mortality in Montenegro is necessary.