Early death from cancer is potentially preventable. In developing countries, it is not only a human tragedy but also an economic tragedy. In Latin America and the Caribbean, the estimated number of deaths for people 15–64 years in 2018 was 262,141, with Brazil being the country with the largest number of cases in the region (38.2%). The mortality rate for cancer in Brazil was 68.7/100,000. The analysis of causes impacting premature mortality is an essential function of public health surveillance. This study aims to estimate Potential Productive Life Years of Lost (YPPLL) due to cancer from 2000 to 2016, according to the region, sex and cancer site.

Official data from the Brazilian government were used for the period 2000–2016 for the 15–64 age group (economically active population). For each cancer death in working-age people, potential years of productive life lost (YPPLL) were calculated as the difference between pensionable age and age at death from cancer (based on the age group mid-point). The limit considered as pensionable age was 65 years for men and 60 years for women.

The total of cancer deaths among working-age people was 61,547 in 2000 and increased to 93,551 in 2016. The correspondent YPPLL was 717,883 and 944,565, respectively (increase of 31.6%), mostly coming from males (56.8%). Highest individual YPPLL were observed in the North and Northeast and Midwest, for both sexes. The most substantial changes observed from 2000 to 2016 in total YPPLL were for colorectal cancer, which moved from sixth to the second position nationally.

The YPPLL due to cancer is increasing in Brazil and present different patterns by sex and geographic regions. While in the South and Southeast lung cancer has the highest impact among males, in the North and Northeast most YPPLL come from stomach cancer. Among females, a clear pattern is observed with breast cancer being responsible for most YPPLL excepting in the North, where cervical cancer still having a major impact compared to other tumors.