Carlos Duarte1, Alejandro Salazar2, Kathrin Strasser-Weippl3, Esther de Vries4, Carolina Wiesner1, Angélica Arango-Gutiérrez4, Lindsay Krush5,6, Paul E Goss7,8. 1. Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, Bogotá, D. C, Colombia. 2. Oncólogos del Occidente, Manizales, Caldas, Colombia. 3. Wilhelminen Hospital, Vienna, Austria. 4. Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, D. C, Colombia. 5. Global Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA. 6. Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, USA. 7. Global Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, USA. pgoss@partners.org. 8. Massachusetts General Hospital, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, USA. pgoss@partners.org.
Abstract
AIM: To provide a comprehensive overview of breast cancer in Colombia. METHODS: Data on breast cancer in Colombia are scarce. We present incidence data from population-based cancer registries that represent 4 distinct regions of the country. Other data originate from non-governmental institutions and healthcare providers within Colombia, official sources, expert opinion, Colombian legislation, and the Cancer Mortality Atlas publishes by Colombian National Cancer Institute. RESULTS: In Colombia, the age-standardized incidence rate remained relatively stable between 2012 and 2020 (43.1 to 47.8 cases per 100,000 women-years); Additionally, survival since 1995 has presented a substantial improvement from 65.7 to 72.1. In 33% of cases, the diagnosis of breast cancer was made in advanced stages, stage III or higher. The health demography survey conducted in 2015 showed that the participation in mammography screening in women aged 40 to 69 remains low 48.1%. Some limitations regarding access to early detection and diagnosis include economic strata, health insurance coverage, origin, and accessibility. On average, a 90-day period was reported from onset of symptoms to diagnosis of breast cancer. CONCLUSION: The first action towards improving outcomes in breast cancer should be to improve stage at diagnosis and timely access to care.
AIM: To provide a comprehensive overview of breast cancer in Colombia. METHODS: Data on breast cancer in Colombia are scarce. We present incidence data from population-based cancer registries that represent 4 distinct regions of the country. Other data originate from non-governmental institutions and healthcare providers within Colombia, official sources, expert opinion, Colombian legislation, and the Cancer Mortality Atlas publishes by Colombian National Cancer Institute. RESULTS: In Colombia, the age-standardized incidence rate remained relatively stable between 2012 and 2020 (43.1 to 47.8 cases per 100,000 women-years); Additionally, survival since 1995 has presented a substantial improvement from 65.7 to 72.1. In 33% of cases, the diagnosis of breast cancer was made in advanced stages, stage III or higher. The health demography survey conducted in 2015 showed that the participation in mammography screening in women aged 40 to 69 remains low 48.1%. Some limitations regarding access to early detection and diagnosis include economic strata, health insurance coverage, origin, and accessibility. On average, a 90-day period was reported from onset of symptoms to diagnosis of breast cancer. CONCLUSION: The first action towards improving outcomes in breast cancer should be to improve stage at diagnosis and timely access to care.
Entities:
Keywords:
Access to health; Breast cancer; Colombia; Health policies; Public health; Screening