Brasília – Despite advances in oncology care, experts agree that diagnosing cancer early still poses major challenges in Brazil. Among the key factors they identify are delayed referrals, limited access to diagnostic imaging and pathology services, and wide geographic and socioeconomic disparities in health-service infrastructure. These bottlenecks often result in cancers being detected at more advanced stages, when outcomes are worse and treatment options more limited.

On top of logistical issues, specialists also point to the lack of systematic screening programs for certain high-risk cancers and the uneven distribution of technology and trained professionals across the country. For example, many regions lack timely access to biopsies, immunohistochemistry and molecular panels that are critical for precise diagnosis today. Such gaps compromise the goal of moving from symptomatic detection to earlier identification of disease in its treatable phases.

Moreover, the fragmentation of care pathways within the National Cancer Institute’s coordinated network, the complex regulation of artificial intelligence and digital health tools, and the limited capacity of the public system to incorporate innovation further exacerbate delays. Experts argue that strengthening primary care, improving referral coordination, expanding diagnostic networks and standardizing protocols are essential if Brazil is to close the time-to-diagnosis gap and improve survival across regions and populations.

Source: Estadão

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