The Challenge of Oncology Services in Latin America

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer represents an economic and social challenge for modern health systems. In Latin America, the increase in incidence has meant changes in the way each nation addresses the problem, to give the most appropriate answers according to their geographical, social and economic particularities.

Objective: This article aimed to describe the sufficiency of oncological services from the point of view of supply and demand in Latin America, with special emphasis on the situation in Colombia.

Methods: A systematic search for information was conducted in ScienceDirect, PubMed, SciELO and Google Scholar, restricting the search to the last two decades. The discussion focused on the five types of cancer with the highest incidence and mortality (breast, cervix, prostate, colorectal and lung).

Results: There are several challenges presented by Latin American health systems to require the sufficiency of services. Despite significant progress in health coverage in recent decades, there are still shortcomings related to the prevention and early detection of cancer.

Conclusions: It is necessary to create policies in which the differences between both sexes are taken into account when demanding health services. Since mortality rates are higher in men than in women, it shows a difficulty in capturing the male population in screening programs.