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The need to build on recent progressExecutive summary
With significant impact on the sustainability of
health systems, communities and economies,
the cancer challenges of Latin America
need immediate action. The consolidation
of cancer-control programmes has been
relatively slow, as cancer competes with
many social and healthcare needs. Although
cancer responses are strengthening and there
are signs of more awareness among country
leaders, it is time to focus on the results.
Stable, well planned and well resourced
solutions are needed to contain ever
expanding costs in lives and resources.
This Economist Intelligence Unit report,
sponsored by Roche, looks at the complexities
of this growing challenge in 12 Latin American
countries. The study examines the findings
from The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Index
of Cancer Preparedness (ICP)—Latin America.
It draws on a wide range of data relevant to
cancer policy and control. The aims of the ICP
are to allow a comparison of national efforts
and, even more, to initiate discussion on best
practice in addressing the cancer challenge.
In addition, the report draws on insights
from a series of expert interviews, as well as
substantial desk research by The Economist
Intelligence Unit.
The report’s key findings include:
The challenge of cancer is growing and
reflects inequalities in the region. There
will be an estimated 1.4m new cases of cancer
in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC)
in 2018 and over 670,000 deaths, according
to the International Agency for Research on
Cancer (IARC). Cancer is the second most
common cause of death in the region and is
already the leading cause in Peru. But there
are many faces of the cancer challenge in
the region. Socioeconomic, demographic
and environmental factors contribute to
this diversity, which will require tailored
policies and solutions, even within countries
themselves. National inequalities create two-
tier systems where some receive good care,
but many are left behind.Data are incomplete, but the results in
cancer management are still limited.
Measured by mortality-incidence (M:I) ratios,
mortality is relatively high in Latin America
compared with other regions of the world,
with weaknesses in the management of the
disease. Again, contrasts are significant within
the region. Crucial survival data are missing
for some of the countries and, where available,
they still show room for improvement. Basic
healthcare is still to reach some segments of
the population, while preventable types of
cancer, such as cervical cancer, are a priority
to address.Escalating the war on cancer will require
significant resources, strong governance
and administrative efficiency. Latin
American countries face multiple challenges
in financing the cancer response. First, there
are still unmet basic social services and
healthcare needs. Latin American countries
have responded with ambitious goals for
universal health coverage (UHC) with
astounding progress in many cases. But a
significant portion of the population continues
to lack effective access. The fragmentation
of healthcare systems adds complexity to
delivering services. Second, cancer investment
needs are high and growing, in terms of
covering both direct (healthcare) and indirect
(productivity) costs.