Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the trend of cancer death in residents of Gansu province for making intervention strategy.MethodsThe data of retrospective death surveys of 1990-1992 and 2004-2005 were collected.The average yearly growth of cancer mortality was calculated.ResultsThe mortality of cancer in residents of Gansu increased obviously.The cancer mortality increased by 12.64% and the malignant tumor became the first cause of the death.Cancer mortality of urban residents decreased slightly and that of rural increased obviously.There were increasing trends in the mortality of lung,breast,and liver cancer.The mortality of lung cancer increased by 103.8%.There were decreasing trends in mortality of cervical,gastric,and espohageal cancer.The mortality of cervical cancer decreased by 51.01%.Although the mortality of gastric cancer decreaed by 7.02%,it still ranked first of cancer death.ConclusionCancer mortality is still at a high level and there is an increasing trend of cancer mortality among residents of Gansu.The prevention and control of cancer should be emphasized in disease control strategy of Gansu province.