Evaluating the Progress in Breast and Gynecological Cancer Control programs in Brazil using Mann Kendal Trend Test

Abstract

Introduction-Breast and Gynecological cancers (BGC) contribute immensely to the healthcare burden in Brazil, because majority of women present at diagnosis, with advanced disease stage coupled with long queue before commencement of treatments, which has led to more deaths of women. Many public policies have been put in place in Brazil since mid-1980s, VIVA Mulher program, 1998. In 2012, Brazil came up with the “laws of 60 days” to tackle the delay in treatment. Unfortunately, COVID-19 Pandemic has further worsened the impact of these diseases on women, especially, that this year marks the end of the target of the Strategic Action Plan to Confront Chronic Non-Communicable Diseases including BGCs. Objective-This study aims to evaluate the progress of BGC control programs using selected indicators and develop applications to facilitate cancer control in Brazil. Methodology-Trends of selected Epidemiological indices will be modelled across the 27 federative units of Brazil from 1996-2023 using Mann-Kendall trend test. Expected Outcome-Progress or lack of it with respect to BGC control programs. Conclusion-There needs to be an evaluation of current state of things so appropriate recommendations can be made to policy makers to tackle the identified challenges.