Overcoming Barriers in the Implementation of Programs for Breast and Cervical Cancer: A Pilot Model

Abstract

Purpose Breast and cervical cancers are leading causes of mortality in Latin America. Although Colombia has an integrated health system that provides universal coverage, approximately 70% of patients with cancer are diagnosed in a late stage. The government has a 10-year cancer control plan that is focused on prevention, early detection, and treatment; however, many barriers have hindered its implementation. Since 2012, Partners for Cancer Care and Prevention has worked to decrease the burden of breast and cervical cancer by mitigating the obstacles women face during their cancer journeys. Methods Through community outreach and meetings with medical personnel, hospital directors, and government officers, we identified some of the barriers—a deficit of trained personnel and physicians, limited centers and scarcity of equipment for early diagnosis, and a fragmented health system with poor continuity of care. Our proposal included monthly teleconferences, a twice-a-year on-site training and quality control program, improving the equipment for early diagnosis in easily accessible centers for patients, creating a patient navigation program and a mobile application (Amate), and unifying the system by directing patients for diagnosis to level 1 and 2 hospitals with rapid referral for treatment in level 3. Results From 2012 to 2016, we have trained 462 health professionals in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment of breast and cervical cancers and equipped level 1 and 2 hospitals for cancer diagnosis by donating a mammography machine and two video colposcopes, all of which has yielded 3,036 mammograms and 1,500 uterocervical cytologies annually. In addition, Amate is able to provide basic teaching and rapid referral for screening. Thus far, 2,583 women have benefited from the program. This has integrated the health system and shortened wait times. After 4 years, the time from initial consult to biopsy has decreased from 65 days to 20 days (70%), from biopsy to surgery for 154 days to 64 days, and from biopsy to chemotherapy from 148 days to 72 days. Conclusion A system of early diagnosis in level 1 and 2 hospitals—now centers of excellence—with rapid referral to a tertiary care institution has facilitated the implementation of the cancer program in Colombia. Although several barriers are still to be addressed, we are establishing an efficient health care model that could be replicated in other underserved countries. AUTHORS' DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST The following represents disclosure information provided by authors of this manuscript. All relationships are considered compensated. Relationships are self-held unless noted. I = Immediate Family Member, Inst = My Institution. Relationships may not relate to the subject matter of this manuscript. For more information about ASCO's conflict of interest policy, please refer to www.asco.org/rwc or ascopubs.org/jco/site/ifc . Armando Sardi Stock or Other Ownership: Celgene, Johnson & Johnson Mavalynne Orozco-Urdaneta Employment: Partners For Cancer Care And Prevention Foundation, Stamina-in-Action Stock or Other Ownership: Celgene, Johnson & Johnson Luis Gabriel Parra-Lara Research Funding: Merk & Co