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The need to build on recent progress

The initiative for the creation of a cancer law

in Chile, led by civil society, stems from the

desire to secure funds and create a robust

governance for cancer that prevails through

different administrations.

Cancer is soon to become the leading

cause of death in Chile.^52 The country is

preparing for this challenge with a new

National Cancer Plan for 2018-28, which

was presented in December 2018 by the

president, Sebastián Piñera, and the former

minister of health, Emilio Santelices. The

document intends to reduce the burden of

cancer through strategies on prevention

and health promotion, supportive services

for cancer patients, strengthening of

oncological capacity, strengthening of

information systems, and enhancing

management and control.

The plan itself integrates best practices,

such as cross-sector collaboration, as it

was created with multidisciplinary actors

of the public health sector and a panel of

experts, including professional associations,

academia, organisations from civil society

and other ministries. It also has a specific

action plan tied to specific indicator targets

and timelines.^53 One special feature,

however, is a section on the modification of

norms and regulation, and in particular the

elaboration of a cancer law. This was the

foundation of the new legislative project.

The project for a cancer law has been driven

by civil society (through Foro Nacional del

Cancer, a foundation) and senator Carolina

Goic Boroevic, proponent of the law.

The initiative involved significant public

mobilisation, including marches^54 and a

pioneering digital platform for civil society

to comment on the project law.^55

“The aim of the law is to implement

a governance above the Ministry of

Health and involving other ministries, for

example those of education and science

and technology, and the Ministry of

Women—also involving the Ministry of

Finance in funding matters,” notes Bruno

Nervi, president of the Chile sin Cáncer

foundation.

As it stands, the proposed law includes

areas such as:

• refining five-year cancer plans, guiding
  implementation of the objectives of the
  law addressing all stages of the disease;


• strengthening human resources in cancer
  management;


• advancing research and the creation of
  an oncological network with specialised
  centres across the country;


• development of clinical guidelines for
  application in the public sector;

Chile mobilises for a cancer law

(^52) Universidad San Sebastián – Instituto de Políticas Públicas en Salud, “Ley de Cáncer ¿Por qué es necesaria?”, 2018.
(^53) Ministerio de Salud. “Plan Nacional de Cáncer 2018-2028”.
(^54) La Nación, “Marcha Masiva en Santiago para pedir Ley Nacional del Cáncer”, 2018.
(^55) Ley Nacional del Cáncer, “Ley Nacional Del Cáncer CoLab”.