Brazilian cancer control policy and the role of primary care in cancer prevention and control

Abstract

This paper concerns cancer as a public health problem in Brazil and introduces the Brazilian Cancer Control Policy as a strategy to integrate actions or programs for cancer control. Among these activities are the control of cervical and breast cancer, considered national priorities due to their high incidence and the possibility of morbidity and mortality reduction by screening of the population. The Division of Cancer Care of the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Prevention and Surveillance Coordination, has been working with States Secretaries of Health to help with the organization of the network of oncological services of the States. Based on this experience, this paper’s goal is to offer a panoramic view of the current cancer control initiatives and highlights the role of primary care in the early detection of cervical and breast cancer in Brazil. Finally, the need is stressed for an effective enlistment of a variety of players in the social production of health and competency building of the healthcare network so that the strategies of cancer control take root and produce results.