Public-Private Collaboration to Boost Early Detection
A public-private alliance led by the Fundación Arturo López Pérez and the Asociación Chilena de Municipalidades (ACHM) marks the start of a dedicated awareness month focused on breast cancer prevention, timely detection, and comprehensive care. The initiative aims to visibility and strengthen the role of Primary Health Care (APS) in managing breast cancer, while expanding access to screening for women in vulnerable and remote communities.
Key players and a high-level panel
The event featured an intersectoral panel that included Sun Kim, the head of the National Cancer Agency at the Ministry of Health (Minsal). Kim highlighted a significant decline in mortality from breast cancer in Chile and reported an 80.8% survival rate. While encouraging progress, Kim emphasized the ongoing work required to reach a 90% survival rate, a benchmark seen in higher-income countries.
Risk awareness and practical guidance for women
Kim underscored the importance of recognizing risk factors and maintaining regular health checks. He pointed to alcohol consumption, physical activity as a protective factor, and obesity or overweight as modifiable risks. He also stressed staying up to date with screenings and routine checks, whether through midwives in primary care or gynecologists in private clinics.
Expanding Access Through Mobile Clinics
José Miguel Bernucci, director of prevention and early detection at Fundación Arturo López Pérez, outlined the program of mobile clinics that has operated since 2007. Six mobile units travel across the country, bringing mammography and related services to women in vulnerable and rural areas. In the first half of this year alone, the initiative performed more than 17,000 tests in 10 of Chile’s 16 regions, underscoring the reach of mobile screening in expanding early detection.
Why Early Detection Matters
Experts emphasize that early detection dramatically improves outcomes. Bernucci noted that about 95% of women whose cancer is detected early can be cured, compared with a survival rate around 30% for advanced-stage cancers and near zero survival at 10 years for the most advanced cases. The cost of treating a cancer caught early is roughly one-third of the expense of treating an advanced cancer, which reinforces the value of accessible screening programs and timely intervention.
Role of Primary Health Care in the Path Forward
The collaboration places special emphasis on the APS as the backbone of early detection and continuous care. The initiative advocates strengthening screening pathways, increasing awareness, and ensuring that women have easy access to preventive services through community health workers, midwives, and general practitioners. By integrating screening into routine primary care visits, the program aims to normalize and simplify preventive care for women across diverse settings.
What Women Can Do Now
Women should be mindful of risk factors such as alcohol use and obesity, and prioritize physical activity as a protective measure. Regular screenings should be scheduled with healthcare providers—whether a matrona in primary care or a gynecologist in private practice. Staying informed about personal risk and adhering to screening recommendations are practical steps toward better outcomes.
Looking Ahead
With the momentum of public-private collaboration and a mobile screening fleet, Chile is advancing toward higher early-detection rates and improved survival. The partnership aims to expand mobile clinics, strengthen APS capacity, and continue to reduce mortality from breast cancer by ensuring that detection and treatment remain timely and accessible for all women.
