Análise do tempo de início do tratamento do câncer de colo de útero no período de 2018-2024 em mulheres entre 25 e 64 anos no Brasil

Abstract

Introduction: Although highly preventable, cervical cancer is associated with high morbidity and mortality and ranks among the four most common cancers in women. In Brazil, Law No. 12,732/2012 ensures that patients begin cancer treatment within a maximum of 60 days after diagnosis. Objective: To analyze the time to initiation of treatment after the diagnosis of cervical cancer and the influencing factors. Methods: This is an ecological and descriptive study that, using data from the Oncology Panel (PAINEL-Oncologia) of DATASUS, evaluated the timeliness of treatment for malignant cervical neoplasms in women aged 25 to 64 years between 2018 and 2024. Results: A total of 81,718 cases with complete information on treatment initiation were recorded. The Northern Region showed a 3.42 times higher likelihood of treatment delay compared to the Southern Region, which had the highest percentage of timely treatments. Elderly patients had a higher proportion of treatments initiated after 60 days. The rate of therapy initiation within 60 days remained similar throughout the analyzed period, except for 2018, which showed a 16% higher chance of treatment delay compared with 2019. More advanced stages, such as II, III, and IV, showed a higher prevalence of timely treatment. Conclusion: Challenges were identified regarding healthcare efficiency, regional disparities, underreporting, and age-related differences in compliance with the 60-day law for cervical cancer treatment. The findings highlight the need for public policies to promote equity in cancer care and compliance with Law No. 12,732/2012.