Cancer control in Latin America and the Caribbean: recent advances and opportunities to move forward.

The increasing burden of cancer represents a substantial problem for Latin America and the Caribbean. Two Lancet Oncology Commissions in 2013 and 2015 highlighted potential interventions that could advance cancer care in the region by overcoming existing challenges. Areas requiring improvement included insufficient investment in cancer control, non-universal health coverage, fragmented health systems, inequitable concentration of cancer services, inadequate registries, delays in diagnosis or treatment initiation, and insufficient palliative services. Progress has been made in key areas but remains uneven across the region. An unforeseen challenge, the COVID-19 pandemic, strained all resources, and its negative effect on cancer control is expected to continue for years. In this Series paper, we summarise progress in several aspects of cancer control since 2015, and identify persistent barriers requiring commitment of additional resources to reduce the cancer burden in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Development and Pilot Implementation of the Genomic Risk Assessment for Cancer Implementation and Sustainment (GRACIAS) Intervention in Mexico.

PURPOSE: Genomic cancer risk assessment (GCRA) is standard-of-care practice that uses genomic tools to identify individuals with increased cancer risk, enabling screening for early detection and cancer prevention interventions. GCRA is not available in most of Mexico, where breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer death and ovarian cancer has a high mortality rate. METHODS: Guided by an implementation science framework, we piloted the Genomic Risk Assessment for Cancer Implementation and Sustainment (GRACIAS) intervention, combining GCRA training, practice support, and low-cost BRCA1/2 (BRCA) gene testing at four centers in Mexico. The RE-AIM model was adapted to evaluate GRACIAS intervention outcomes, including reach, the proportion of new patients meeting adapted National Comprehensive Cancer Network criteria who participated in GCRA. Barriers to GCRA were identified through roundtable sessions and semistructured interviews. RESULTS: Eleven clinicians were trained across four sites. Mean pre-post knowledge score increased from 60% to 67.2% (range 53%-86%). GCRA self-efficacy scores increased by 31% (95% CI, 6.47 to 55.54; P = .02). Participant feedback recommended Spanish content to improve learning. GRACIAS promoted reach at all sites: 77% in Universidad de Guadalajara, 86% in Instituto Nacional de Cancerología, 90% in Tecnológico de Monterrey, and 77% in Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán. Overall, a pathogenic BRCA variant was identified in 15.6% (195 of 1,253) of patients. All trainees continue to provide GCRA and address barriers to care. CONCLUSION: We describe the first project to use implementation science methods to develop and deliver an innovative multicomponent implementation intervention, combining low-cost BRCA testing, comprehensive GCRA training, and practice support in Mexico. Scale-up of the GRACIAS intervention will promote risk-appropriate care, cancer prevention, and reduction in related mortality.

Comparison of characteristics in Mexican women with breast cancer according to healthcare coverage.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the sociodemographic, diagnostic, clinical, and treatment-related characteristics and outcomes of patients with breast cancer in two hospitals in Mexico according to type of healthcare coverage. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of women with breast cancer according to public or private healthcare coverage in two hospitals was done. Patients were treated by the same group of physicians and healthcare infrastructure. Groups were compared using the chi-square test for categorical variables, Mann-Whitney U-test and Student's t-test for quantitative variables, and Kaplan-Meier estimator and log-rank test for time dependent outcomes (including recurrence-free and overall survival). A value of p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: A total of 282 women were included. Mean age at diagnosis was 52 years. Women with public healthcare coverage were diagnosed more frequently with self-detected tumors (82.8% vs 47.9%, p < 0.001) and advanced clinical stage (III and IV) (31.1% vs 17.8%, p = 0.014). More women with public healthcare insurance underwent initial systemic treatment (41.1% vs 17.8%, p < 0.001) and mastectomy (70.1% vs 54.9%, p = 0.020), and received more chemotherapy (79.4% vs 43.8%, p < 0.001) and adjuvant radiotherapy (68.9% vs 53.4%, p = 0.017). Overall, no differences were found in survival outcomes according to healthcare coverage. Trends suggesting worse recurrence-free and overall survival were observed in patients with public coverage at 3 years follow-up in stage III (85.7% vs 67.3% and 100% vs 84.6%, respectively) and triple negative disease (83.3% vs 74.5% and 100% vs 74.1%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Strategies to promote preventive medicine, diagnostic mammograms, and prompt diagnosis of breast cancer in Mexican women with public health coverage are needed. Access to the main treatment modalities by Seguro Popular and good quality care by an experienced group of physicians likely explains the similar outcomes between patients with private and public healthcare coverage. However, trends suggesting worse survival for patients with public medical coverage with stage III and triple-negative disease should encourage close follow-up.

Breast Cancer Diagnostic Delays Among Young Mexican Women Are Associated With a Lack of Suspicion by Health Care Providers at First Presentation.

PURPOSE: There is insufficient evidence in the literature regarding the association between young age and diagnostic delay of breast cancer (BC). This study aimed to determine whether young age increases the risk of diagnostic delays among patients with BC and also to identify the mechanisms through which young age affects diagnostic delay. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 592 patients with symptomatic BC treated at two of the largest public cancer hospitals in Mexico City available for the uninsured and those covered by Seguro Popular. A validated questionnaire was administered via face-to-face interviews with the patients, and their medical files were reviewed. Path analyses, using multivariable logistic regression models, were conducted to assess the relationship between age and diagnostic delay, as well as the role of potential confounders. RESULTS: Younger participants (40 years of age or younger) had significantly longer diagnostic intervals and presented with more advanced cancer stage than did their older counterparts. Younger participants more often sought initial health care in private services led by gynecologists, more frequently experienced a lack of cancer suspicion by the first physician they consulted, used a higher number of different health services, and had more medical consultations before arrival to a cancer care center. Younger age was significantly associated with longer diagnostic delays after controlling for education, occupation, lack of health insurance, history of benign breast conditions, type of first health service used, specialty of the first physician consulted, first symptom presented, and benign interpretation of the first breast image study. CONCLUSION: Young age increased the risk of diagnostic delays, which seems to be a result of an increased risk of lack of cancer suspicion at the first health care service consulted.

Special Needs of Young Women with Breast Cancer in Limited Resource Settings.

BACKGROUND: Young women with breast cancer (YWBC) comprise a group of patients with unique biopsychosocial characteristics with a special perception of needs throughout their disease and survivorship. Contexts marked by restricted allocations and economic constraints might further aggravate the struggle of these patients living within limited resource settings and can demand added requirements for them and their families. OBJECTIVE: To analytically explore the existing knowledge regarding the needs of YWBC in low- and middle- income countries (LMICs). METHODS: We conducted a thorough literature review of scientific journal databases available in Spanish and English containing information on YWBC in LMICs. RESULTS: We did not find any publications exclusively assessing this topic in resource-limited settings. We looked for data on the different types of YW need from studies in the region that assessed the needs of breast cancer (BC) patients in general and described in their findings the particularities of young patients. Young BC patients described within the literature present a variety of needs. Those reported most frequently as unmet were related to information needs and psychological counseling, practical and physical assistance, and social and spiritual support. CONCLUSIONS: Published literature on the subject - particularly in Latin America - is extremely scarce. This offers an area of opportunity for conducting further research in this topic that would help improve health professional training and establish health policies in favor of YWBC.

"Joven & Fuerte": Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer in Mexico - Initial Results.

Despite the high rates of breast cancer among young Mexican women, their special needs and concerns have not been systematically addressed. To fulfill these unsatisfied demands, we have developed "Joven & Fuerte: Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer in Mexico," the first program dedicated to the care of young breast cancer patients in Latin America, which is taking place at the National Cancer Institute of Mexico and the two medical facilities of the Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. The program was created to optimize the complex clinical and psychosocial care of these patients, enhance education regarding their special needs, and promote targeted research, as well as to replicate this program model in other healthcare centers across Mexico and Latin America. From November 2013 to February 2017, the implementation of the "Joven & Fuerte" program has delivered specialized care to 265 patients, through the systematic identification of their particular needs and the provision of fertility, genetic, and psychological supportive services. Patients and families have engaged in pedagogic activities and workshops and have created a motivated and empowered community. The program developed and adapted the first educational resources in Spanish dedicated for young Mexican patients, as well as material for healthcare providers. As for research, a prospective cohort of young breast cancer patients was established to characterize clinicopathological features and psychosocial effects at baseline and during follow-up, as a guide for the development of specific cultural interventions addressing this vulnerable group. Eventually, it is intended that the program's organization and structure can reach national and international interactions and serve as a platform for other countries.

The impact of the use of intraoperative radiotherapy on costs, travel time and distance for women with breast cancer in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The low availability and poor access to external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) in developing countries makes it hard for women with breast cancer to receive breast conservation. We studied the effect of providing intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT) on the travel time, distance, and costs of in the Mexico City Metropolitan Area (MCMA). METHODS: Sixty-nine patients treated between January 2013 and September 2014 were analyzed. Travel distance and transit time was calculated using Google Maps. The time and distance patients living in the MCMA treated with IORT would have spent if they had received EBRT was calculated. Cost analysis for each modality was performed. RESULTS: 71% (n = 49) lived in the MCMA. Sixteen (33%) received additional EBRT and 33 (66%) received IORT only. Mean driving distance and transit time of those 33 women was 132.6 km (SD 25.7) and 66 min (SD 32.9). Patients from the MCMA receiving IORT alone avoided 990 visits, 43 700 km and 65 400 min in transit. IORT led to a 12% reduction in costs per patient. CONCLUSIONS: By reducing costs and time needed for patients to receive radiotherapy, IORT could potentially enhance access to breast conservation in resource-limited developing countries.

Progress and remaining challenges for cancer control in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Cancer is one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide, and an increasing threat in low-income and middle-income countries. Our findings in the 2013 Commission in The Lancet Oncology showed several discrepancies between the cancer landscape in Latin America and more developed countries. We reported that funding for health care was a small percentage of national gross domestic product and the percentage of health-care funds diverted to cancer care was even lower. Funds, insurance coverage, doctors, health-care workers, resources, and equipment were also very inequitably distributed between and within countries. We reported that a scarcity of cancer registries hampered the design of credible cancer plans, including initiatives for primary prevention. When we were commissioned by The Lancet Oncology to write an update to our report, we were sceptical that we would uncover much change. To our surprise and gratification much progress has been made in this short time. We are pleased to highlight structural reforms in health-care systems, new programmes for disenfranchised populations, expansion of cancer registries and cancer plans, and implementation of policies to improve primary cancer prevention.

Cost-effectiveness of the 21-gene breast cancer assay in Mexico.

INTRODUCTION: The 21-gene breast cancer assay (Oncotype DX(®); Genomic Health, Inc.) is a validated diagnostic test that predicts the likelihood of adjuvant chemotherapy benefit and 10-year risk of distant recurrence in patients with hormone-receptor-positive, human epidermal growth receptor 2-negative, early-stage breast cancer. The aim of this analysis was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of using the assay to inform adjuvant chemotherapy decisions in Mexico. METHODS: A Markov model was developed to make long-term projections of distant recurrence, survival, and direct costs in scenarios using conventional diagnostic procedures or the 21-gene assay to inform adjuvant chemotherapy recommendations. Transition probabilities and risk adjustment were taken from published landmark trials. Costs [2011 Mexican Pesos (MXN)] were estimated from an Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social perspective. Costs and clinical benefits were discounted at 5% annually. RESULTS: Following assay testing, approximately 66% of patients previously receiving chemotherapy were recommended to receive hormone therapy only after consideration of assay results. Furthermore, approximately 10% of those previously allocated hormone therapy alone had their recommendation changed to add chemotherapy. This optimized therapy allocation led to improved mean life expectancy by 0.068 years per patient and increased direct costs by MXN 1707 [2011 United States Dollars (USD) 129] per patient versus usual care. This is equated to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of MXN 25,244 (USD 1914) per life-year gained. CONCLUSION: In early-stage breast cancer patients in Mexico, guiding decision making on adjuvant therapy using the 21-gene assay was projected to improve life expectancy in comparison with the current standard of care, with an ICER of MXN 25,244 (USD 1914) per life-year gained, which is within the range generally considered cost-effective.

Planning cancer control in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Non-communicable diseases, including cancer, are overtaking infectious disease as the leading health-care threat in middle-income and low-income countries. Latin American and Caribbean countries are struggling to respond to increasing morbidity and death from advanced disease. Health ministries and health-care systems in these countries face many challenges caring for patients with advanced cancer: inadequate funding; inequitable distribution of resources and services; inadequate numbers, training, and distribution of health-care personnel and equipment; lack of adequate care for many populations based on socioeconomic, geographic, ethnic, and other factors; and current systems geared toward the needs of wealthy, urban minorities at a cost to the entire population. This burgeoning cancer problem threatens to cause widespread suffering and economic peril to the countries of Latin America. Prompt and deliberate actions must be taken to avoid this scenario. Increasing efforts towards prevention of cancer and avoidance of advanced, stage IV disease will reduce suffering and mortality and will make overall cancer care more affordable. We hope the findings of our Commission and our recommendations will inspire Latin American stakeholders to redouble their efforts to address this increasing cancer burden and to prevent it from worsening and threatening their societies.

Breast cancer in Mexico: a growing challenge to health and the health system.

Breast cancer is a major public health issue in low-income and middle-income countries. In Mexico, incidence and mortality of breast cancer have risen in the past few decades. Changes in health-care policies in Mexico have incorporated programmes for access to early diagnosis and treatment of this disease. This Review outlines the status of breast cancer in Mexico, regarding demographics, access to care, and strategies to improve clinical outcomes. We identify factors that contribute to the existing disease burden, such as low mammography coverage, poor quality control, limited access to diagnosis and treatment, and insufficient physical and human resources for clinical care.