Distribution of mammograms and mammography offering in relation to the parametric care of the Public Health Care System in Pernambuco

10-year opportunistic mammographic screening scenario in Brazil and its impact on breast cancer early detection: a nationwide population-based study

Background

Mammographic screening has been used to reduce breast cancer mortality worldwide and remains the main modality for the early detection of this disease. Women from low- and middle-income countries still lack access to periodic mammograms and efficient health care. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore opportunistic mammographic coverage in Brazil, while considering the privately insured population and its association with early breast cancer (EBC) detection.

Methods

Data on population, gross domestic product (GDP), number of mammograms performed under the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) public health system or private system, and women diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer from 2010 to 2019 were retrieved from publicly available databases.

Results

A total of 39 555 636 mammograms with an average of 3 955 564 ± 395 704 mammograms were obtained per year from 2010 to 2019 in Brazil. Most examinations (58.6%) were performed in the target population (50-69 years old), while 32% were performed in women aged 40-49, and 9.4% were performed in women <40 years or >70 years of age. The 10-year mammogram coverage was 30.6% in the target population and 24.8% in the population aged 40-49 years, with significant variation across states and municipalities. The overall EBC detection rates in Brazil were 30.6% in populations aged 50-70 and 24.8% in those aged 40-50 years. We observed a positive correlation between coverage and EBC detection rate (r = 0.68; P = 0.0001 (50-70 years) and r = 0.75; P < 0.0001 (40-50 years)). According to the GDP, the municipalities with higher GDP per capita had higher mammogram coverage (P < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The coverage of mammographic screening for women under the SUS is far below the international guidelines. Additionally, a significant number of mammograms have been performed in non-target populations. This scenario reflects the problematic screening programs in developing countries and reflects low rates of EBC diagnosis. As Brazil is a continental country with heterogeneous socioeconomic indicators, we observed significant variations in the number of mammograms performed by age groups when separated by states and municipalities. Even when considering supplemental health system coverage, municipalities with higher GDP per capita were associated with higher mammogram coverage.

A multilevel assessment of the social determinants associated with the late stage diagnosis of breast cancer

The advanced-stage diagnosis of breast cancer reveals the inequalities associated with socioeconomic conditions and the offer of health services. This study analyzes the prevalence of advanced breast cancer and its relationship with individual and contextual socioeconomic indicators and offer of health service. A cross-sectional study is presented herein, on the assessment of malignant breast neoplasms in women diagnosed between 2006 and 2015 (n = 195,201). Data were collected from the Hospital Cancer Registry (HCR), Atlas of Human Development in Brazil, and from the National Registry of Health Institutions (NRHI). A multilevel Poisson Regression was carried out with random intercept. The prevalence of advanced breast cancer diagnosis was 40.0%. Advanced staging was associated with younger age groups (PR 1.41), race/nonwhite (PR 1.13), lower education levels (PR 1.38), and public access to health services (PR 1.25). There was also an association with a low density of mammographic equipment (PR 1.08), and with low indices of local social inequality (PR 1.33) and human development (PR 0.80). This study maps and highlights the causes related to inequalities in the diagnosis of advanced breast cancer in Brazil, and presents essential data to reorient public policies and health-related actions to strengthen the control of breast cancer in Brazil.

Access of the patient to the cancer network under the “Sixty-Day Law”: Integrative Review

ABSTRACT Objectives: to analyze Brazilian scientific production on patient access to the oncology network under the “Sixty-Day Law”. Methods: integrative review of the literature in the databases Lilacs, PubMed and Scielo. The descriptors used were: neoplasms, health services accessibility, early detection of cancer. Articles published from 2015 to March 2019 were included. Results: 17 articles were analyzed and four themes emerged: inequality in access; qualification of Primary Care professionals; time as a determinant factor; information system as limiting factor. Conclusions: the access to the oncology network is unequal and there are several barriers faced by the users. A continuing education of health professionals is necessary to implement preventive strategies. Treatment initiation is late, showing non-compliance with the law. The health care network is highly fragmented, there is lack of coordination between the services and, consequently, there is a lack of patient follow-up.