Breast Cancer in Latin America: A Map of the Disease in the Region

In the next few decades, breast cancer will become a leading global public health problem as it increases disproportionately in low- and middle-income countries. Disparities are clear when comparisons are made with rates in Europe and the United States, but they also exist between the countries of the region or even within the same country in Latin America. Large cities or urban areas have better access and resource availability than small towns or remote zones. This article presents the status of the disease across 12 years with data obtained through three studies performed in 2006, 2010, and 2013 and based on surveys, reviews of literature, patient organizations, and public databases. The first study provided a general picture of breast cancer control in the region (Latin America); the second compared expert perceptions with medical care standards; and the third was a review of literature and public databases together with surveys of breast cancer experts and patient organizations. We conclude that breast cancer is the most frequent cancer and kills more women than any other cancer; we also suggest that aging is the principal risk factor, which will drive the incidence to epidemic levels as a result of demographic transition in Latin America. The economic burden also is large and can be clearly observed: in countries that today allocate insufficient resources, women go undiagnosed or uncared for or receive treatment with suboptimal therapies, all of which results in high morbidity and the associated societal costs. The vast inequities in access to health care in countries translates into unequal results in outcomes. National cancer control plans are the fundamental building block to an organized governance, financing, and delivery of health care for breast cancer.