Table 4 Summary of basic epidemiological data and policy results by country
From: Breast cancer policy in Latin America: account of achievements and challenges in five countries
Country | Breast cancer epidemiology (Estimated incidence and mortality per 100,000 women 2008)a | Specific breast cancer policy | Early detection strategy | Civil society and civic participation | Information system |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mexico | Incidence: 27.2 | Yes. Supported by a program with defined objectives and goals. | Organized opportunistic mammography screening program for women 40–69 years old. | High level of participation in the areas of education, research, service provision and lobbying but atomized. | Yes. SICAM PRO-MAMA is a routine data collection system. |
Mortality: 10.1 | |||||
Colombia | Incidence:31.2 | No. Recently approved a cancer care law. National Cancer Institute is involved in policy. | Opportunistic mammography screening for both contributory and subsidized regimens. Not fully organized. Annual mammography starting at 49Â years of age, except for symptomatic cases and the related risks. | High level of participation in the areas of education, research, service provision and lobbying but atomized. | No. Indicators produced through national surveys [35]. |
Mortality: 10.0 | |||||
Venezuela | Incidence: 42.5 | Not. The Ministry of Health has an under-funded sub-program for breast cancer control. | Sub-program with indications for opportunistic mammography screening carried out differently in each state. Starting age of mammography 35Â years and for women with known risk factors at low age. | Low level of participation in program and policy definition. Active participation in educational activities and support for women with breast cancer. | Yes. Data collection is problematic and not all stakeholders are aware of its existence. |
Mortality: 13.7 | |||||
Brazil | Incidence:42.3 | Yes. Supported by a program with defined objectives and goals. | Organized opportunistic mammography screening program for women 35Â years and older and for women with known risk factors less than 35Â years old. | High level of organized participation. Assigned seats in state and municipal health councils. | Yes. SISMAMA is a routine information collection system. |
Mortality: 12.3 | |||||
Argentina | Incidence: 74.0 | Not at the national level. Some provinces have well developed policies. | No national screening program due to decentralized health system structure. In generally annual mammography starting from 49Â years of age, except for symptomatic cases and the | Low level of participation in program and policy definition. Active participation in service provision. | No. Measured through national studies. |
Mortality: 20.1 |