The health system and access to treatment in patients with cervical cancer in Mexico

Abstract

Cervical cancer (CC) is tightly related to a low Human Development Index. Mexico is an upper-middle-income country with 126 million inhabitants, and its public health system aims to provide universal health coverage. Currently, employment-based social insurance covers approximately 60% of the population, and the scope of the remaining 40% is on course via the “IMSS-Bienestar” Institute. However, the annual government spending on health remains at 3% of the Gross Domestic Product, which is well below the 6% recommended by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. CC is the second in incidence and mortality among women. Regarding primary prevention with the Human Papilloma Virus-vaccine, the current coverage for girls aged 9 to 14 years is only around 7%. Among secondary prevention with screening, the program is yet to cover the total number of women at risk; nevertheless, the age-standardized CC mortality rate has decreased from 12 per 100,000 women in 1979 to 5.7 per 100,000 women in 2020 due in part to increased screening coverage. Still, around two-thirds of patients present with locally advanced disease at diagnosis. Data from our country demonstrate that even socially disadvantaged CC patients achieve “standard” survival outcomes if treatment is granted. Nevertheless, there is a shortage in almost every aspect regarding CC treatment, including oncologists, chemotherapy units, medical physicists, radiation technicians, and both teletherapy and brachytherapy facilities. In conclusion, advances in the public health system in Mexico are urgently required to achieve CC control and reduce the mortality from this neoplasia that mainly targets socially disadvantaged women.

A microRNA Profile Regulates Inflammation-Related Signaling Pathways in Young Women with Locally Advanced Cervical Cancer

“…Moreover, at the time of writing, studies that purposefully compare miRNA or even ncRNA expression between different age groups are still lacking and, therefore, urgently needed. It is important to continue searching for specific age-related markers, especially those associated with early CC development in younger patients, who are often diagnosed in advanced stages [ 2 , 5 ].…”

“…A total of 600,000 new cases of cervical cancer (CC) and 340,000 deaths caused by this disease are reported annually worldwide, which positions it as one of the most prevalent cancers among women [ 1 ]. In middle-income countries like Mexico, over 60% of patients are diagnosed in advanced stages, which remains a major public health problem [ 2 , 3 ]. The median age for diagnosis of CC patients is 50 years [ 4 ]; however, 42% are diagnosed at an earlier age [ 1 ].…”

“…The median age for diagnosis of CC patients is 50 years [ 4 ]; however, 42% are diagnosed at an earlier age [ 1 ]. In Mexico, 43% of CC patients are diagnosed between 18 and 49 years, mostly in advanced stages [ 2 , 5 ], and women with CC younger than 40 years represent 20% [ 6 ]. This suggests that women between 40 and 50 years old represent 23% of the population affected by this type of neoplasm.…”

Findings and Challenges in Replacing Traditional Uterine Cervical Cancer Diagnosis with Molecular Tools in Private Gynecological Practice in Mexico

“…In Mexico, this neoplasm represents the second cause of cancer in women, with 9440 new cases per year, and the second cause of death, with 4340 cases [ 9 ]. Among women with invasive CC, around 70% are diagnosed with locally advanced disease, which highlights deficiencies in timely diagnosis [ 9 ].…”

“…In Mexico, this neoplasm represents the second cause of cancer in women, with 9440 new cases per year, and the second cause of death, with 4340 cases [ 9 ]. Among women with invasive CC, around 70% are diagnosed with locally advanced disease, which highlights deficiencies in timely diagnosis [ 9 ]. All these data reinforce the need to continue implementing early screening strategies for CC in Mexico and in other Latin American countries with similar incidences.…”