Breast and gynecologic cancers as a Brazilian health priority

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: Cancer imposes a profound burden on low- and middle-income countries where 65% of the global cancer deaths occurred in 2020. The objective of the present review was to describe female cancer epidemiology in Brazil, barriers to prevention, screening, and treatment, and to propose strategies to a better control. METHODS: For the process of literature search and scientific acquisition, we have utilized the terms "female cancer" AND "breast cancer," AND "cervical cancer" AND "endometrial cancer" AND "ovarian cancer" AND "Brazil" in PubMed. References of the articles included in this review were manually searched in order to identify relevant studies on the topic. The official Brazilian epidemiology data were extensively analyzed at the governmental site www.inca.gov.br. RESULTS: Considering cases of breast and gynecologic cancers together, 105,770 new cases are expected to be diagnosed yearly, positioning female cancer as the highest cancer incidence in Brazil. Female breast cancer is the most common and the leading cause of death from cancer in the female population in all regions of Brazil, except in the North, where cervical cancer ranks first. Cervical cancer, a preventable disease, corresponds to the third-most common neoplasia in women, with higher incidences in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil. An upward trend has been observed in endometrial cancer incidence, a tendency that follows the increase of its two most common risk factors: population aging and obesity. Ovarian cancer currently occupies the eighth position among female cancers in Brazil, but it is the most lethal gynecologic cancer. The main strategies to reduce female cancer mortality rates are the reduction of inequalities in healthcare services and the early diagnosis of cases. The lack of a specific national cancer program results in a reactive and unplanned approach to healthcare provision, ultimately leading to suboptimal resource utilization and higher expenditure. CONCLUSION: Analyzed together, breast and gynecologic cancers correspond to the leading cause of cancer in Brazil. A heterogeneous group, female cancer includes diseases with a high primary and secondary prevention potential. The organization of a female cancer program in Brazil prioritizing primary and secondary prevention strategies, such as adequate mammography screening and human papillomavirus vaccination coverage, could significantly improve female cancer control in the country.

Dealing with cancer screening in the COVID-19 era

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This article aims to alert health professionals for cancer screening in the face of the possibility of new waves of disease. METHODS: A narrative review was conducted through a search in MEDLINE, Lilacs, Chinese Biomedical Literature Database, and international medical societies publications. RESULTS: Breast cancer: in high-risk patients (confirmed familial cancer syndrome or with high-risk tools scores), clinicians should act according to usual recommendations; in average-risk individuals, consider screening with mammography with a longer time span (maximum of two years). Cervical cancer: women turning 25 years old who have already been immunized and with no previous Pap test can have the test postponed during the pandemic; if there is no previous dose of Human Papillomavirus vaccination, initiation of screening should be recommended following a more rigid approach for COVID prevention; in women over 30 years of age who have never participated in cervical screening, the first screening exam is also essential. Colorectal cancer: if the individual is at elevated risk for familial cancer, the screening with colonoscopy according to usual recommendations should be supported; if at average risk consider screening with Fecal Occult Blood Test. Prostate cancer: there is a trend to postpone routine prostate cancer screening until the pandemic subsides. CONCLUSIONS: The decision to keep cancer screening must be discussed and individualized, considering the possibility of new waves of COVID-19.

Rastreio de câncer na prática clínica: recomendações para a população de risco habitual / Cancer screening in clinical practice: recommendations for average risk population

Objetivo: Compilar as evidências da literatura e as recomendações das principais sociedades médicas mundiais para o rastreamento populacional de câncer, contextualizando com a relevância epidemiológica de cada subtipo da doença. Métodos: Trata-se de revisão narrativa da literatura, realizada por levantamento na base de dados PubMed® e consulta aos posicionamentos de instituições governamentais e sociedades médicas nas áreas específicas. Resultados: O rastreamento populacional sistemático foi recomendado apenas para as neoplasias de mama, colo do útero e colorretal, utilizando-se métodos, idade e periodicidade específicos. O rastreio do câncer de próstata mostrou-se controverso, e o pulmonar e o hepático recomendados apenas em tabagistas com alta carga tabágica e cirróticos, respectivamente. Não houve evidência para se recomendar atualmente o rastreamento sistemático da população geral para as neoplasias de pele, tireoide, esôfago, estômago, pâncreas, ovário, endométrio, bexiga, rins, dentre outras. Conclusão: O exame periódico de saúde do paciente saudável abrangeu a prevenção e o rastreamento do câncer para redução de morbidade e mortalidade pela doença, e a estratificação das evidências atuais teve o potencial de melhorar o direcionamento dos esforços, aumentando a cobertura, havendo maior benefício e reduzindo riscos e custos de exames desnecessários.

Objective: To gather evidence from the literature, and recommendations of the main medical societies worldwide for the population screening of cancer, contextualizing with the epidemiological relevance of each subtype of the disease. Methods: This is a narrative review of the literature, carried out through research on PubMed® database, and consultation to the governmental institutions and medical societies' opinions in specific areas. Results: Systematic population screening was recommended only for breast, cervix and colorectal cancers, using specific methods, age and periodicity. Prostate cancer screening showed to be controversial, and pulmonary and hepatic screening are recommended only in heavy smokers and cirrhotic patients, respectively. Currently, there is no evidence to recommend the screening of the general population for neoplasms of skin, thyroid, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, ovary, endometrium, bladder, and kidneys. Conclusion: The periodic health screening of the healthy patient covered the prevention and screening for cancer to reduce morbidity and mortality from the disease; the stratification of current evidence has the potential to improve the direction of efforts, broadening coverage, with more benefit, and reducing risks and costs of unnecessary tests.