Latin America and the Caribbean rank fourth for the highest number of cancer cases among all the continents and cancer is currently the leading cause of premature death in nearly half of the region. Approximately 1.5 million new cancer cases and 700,000 deaths occur annually in this region with mortality rates of 86.6 per 100,000. In 2020, the most common cancers were prostate, breast, colorectal, lung and stomach. If these rates remain unchanged, the cancer burden in the region will only increase. There is an estimation of an increase of 67%, meaning there will be approximately 2.4 million new cases annually by 2040.

Some of the health issues in Latin America are exacerbated by poverty. While there have been some policies in place to limit social inequities from poverty, including improvements in education and health-related sectors, including increased school access and reduced infant mortality, the maintenance of these policies has been insufficient. With that, many people lack access to basic health care and treatment. This results in a high amount of the population, specifically the elderly, experiencing poor conditions and lack of healthcare, leading them to be more likely to receive diagnoses of disabling diseases including cancer. 

The Latin American and Caribbean Code Against Cancer

A new method is being put into place to lower the risks of getting cancer and mortality rates. This method is through the Latin America and Caribbean Code Against Cancer. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) launched this initiative on October 17. This project aims to have code generate recommendations based on current scientific research. There are 17 recommendations based on this research, which have conformed to common scenarios for the region. These recommendations are to limit the likelihood of developing cancer and if a person already has cancer, the recommendations can decrease the risk of mortality. In addition, 30 policy recommendations accompany the previous suggestions. These policy recommendations are not legally binding as some structural and socio-economic factors prevent the implementation of these suggestions. 

17 Actions to Limit the Risks of Cancer

Specialists and representatives convened by the International Agency for Research on Cancer and the World Health Organization have reviewed the recommendations made by the code and recommend a set of 17 actions that people should take to start preventing cancer in Latin America. The first 14 actions include not smoking and maintaining a smoke-free environment, maintaining a healthy weight and doing daily physical activity, eating a healthy diet and avoiding alcohol, breastfeeding to prevent breast cancer, protecting yourself from direct sun exposure, ensuring there is no smoke buildup in your home, limiting time in areas with high air pollution, adopt preventative measures in a job that has exposure risks, get checked for bacteria or virus infections, and do not use hormone replacement for menopause.

The first of the final three actions is that people between the ages of 50 and 74 should visit a healthcare provider to have an early test for colon and rectal cancer. The second of the final three recommendations is that people 40 years or older should visit a health provider every two years for a clinical breast exam. Then, from ages 50 to 74, get a mammogram every two years. The last of the final three recommendations is that people from the ages of 30 to 64 should visit a health provider for an HPV test every 5-10 years for cervical cancer. A combination of these 17 actions will help lower the risks of getting cancer and lower the risks of mortality if cancer already persists.  

30 Policy Recommendations to Mitigate Cancer

To accompany these 17 actions are 30 recommendations. These recommendations are not legally binding as some factors affecting the region make it difficult to implement them. These factors include poverty, unemployment, lack of housing, difficulty obtaining healthy food, and lack of health infrastructure. These 30 recommendations fall under the categories of tobacco, weight, physical activity, diet, alcohol and breastfeeding, sun exposure, indoor air pollution, outdoor air pollution, occupational hazards, helicobacter pylori, viral infections, hormone replacement, early detection of colon and rectal cancer, early detection of breast cancer and early detection of cervical cancer. These recommendation categories are very similar to the 17 actions as they are meant to be used in tandem. As they are meant to be used together, they will help limit the risk of developing cancer and lower mortality rates. 

For the code to work effectively, countries in the region are to include all 17 actions without making any changes to the wording. The only exceptions are for synonyms that are generally accepted. Additionally, no changes are to be made to the public policy recommendations accompanying the actions. With effective use of both the actions and the policies, it will be easier to begin preventing cancer in Latin America. 

Conclusion

The pressing challenge of cancer in Latin America and the Caribbean, ranking fourth globally in cancer cases and facing high mortality rates, demands urgent attention and comprehensive strategies. Code Against Cancer provides hope for preventing cancer in Latin America through the initiative guidelines. The 17 actions and 30 recommendations include diverse lifestyle aspects and public policy, providing a comprehensive framework for cancer prevention. Through collaborative action and commitment to preventive measures, there is hope for preventing cancer in Latin America and lowering mortality rates. 

To begin to limit cancer even further in the Latin American community, poverty should be addressed to limit inequities in receiving treatment and access to healthcare. There are organizations that are beginning to limit poverty including TECHNO, which is a global organization advocating for social policies that is currently operating in 19 countries in Latin America. This organization is taking a three stage approach to limiting poverty. Their website states that “the initial phase is a needs assessment through Community Organizing Committees, the second phase is the implementation of programs in response to the needs and the third phase is the promotion of the implementation of lasting and sustainable solutions.” With organizations including TECHO, poverty will begin to be reduced at larger scales. Limiting poverty in combination with Code Against Cancer will be beneficial in lowering cancer rates and keeping the population healthy. 

– Sara Agosto
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