Objective To investigate the cancer death and distribution characteristics of residents in Cixian County.

Methods In accordance with the norms of cancer registration, cancer death data from 2013 to 2017 in Cixian were collected and analyzed, and the crude cancer death rate, age-standardized mortality rates by the Chinese standard population (ASMRC), age-standardized mortality rates by the global standard population (ASMRW).

Results From January 1st, 2013, to December 31st, 2017, 6 490 cases of cancer death were recorded. The average annual crude mortality rate was 202.88/100 000, ASMRC was 186.49/100 000, and the ASMRW was 189.02/100 000. The top 10 male mortality cancers were esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, trachea, bronchus and lung cancer, liver cancer, rectal cancer, cerebral nervous system cancer, colon cancer, leukemia, pancreatic cancer, and bladder cancer in order. The top 10 female mortality cancers were esophageal cancer, trachea, bronchus and lung cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer, cervical cancer, colon cancer, brain, nervous system cancer, rectal cancer, and ovarian cancer. The age of death increased considerably from the age of 40 years. It increased with the increase in age and reached the peak at the age of 85 years.

Conclusion Upper gastrointestinal cancer and lung cancer were the main cancers that threatened the residents of Cixian County from 2013 to 2017. Screening and comprehensive prevention of high-risk groups are still the main targets of cancer prevention and control.