Breast Cancer in Brazil: Epidemiological Impact and Therapeutic Delay
Luísa Schafre, Mariana Schlindwein Afonso, Henrique Silva Lovera, Larissa Mendes Felin, Eduarda BorsaPURPOSE
Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignant neoplasm among women worldwide, representing a major public health challenge. Globally, more than 2.3 million new cases are diagnosed annually. Survival is strongly associated with early detection and timely treatment initiation, with the interval between these steps serving as a critical quality-of-care indicator. In Brazil, Federal Law 12.732/2012 mandates treatment initiation within 60 days of diagnosis; however, significant regional disparities persist. This study analyzes incidence trends and therapeutic delays across the country.
METHODS
This was an observational, retrospective, and quantitative study using secondary public data from the Oncology Panel (DATASUS). All malignant breast neoplasm cases (ICD-10 C50) recorded from January 2020 to December 2024 were included. Variables analyzed were year of diagnosis, region of residence, and time from diagnosis to treatment initiation (<30, 31-60, >60 days). Descriptive analyses of absolute and relative frequencies were performed.
RESULTS
A total of 292,774 cases were reported: 43.9% in the Southeast, 25.8% in the Northeast, 20.1% in the South, 6.0% in the Midwest, and 4.2% in the North. Case numbers increased from 49,275 in 2020 to 65,915 in 2024 (+33.8%). The Southeast recorded the largest absolute increase (+5,434 cases), whereas the Northeast had the steepest proportional rise (+27.8%). Regarding treatment initiation, only 33.1% began within 60 days; 45.5% exceeded this limit, and 21.4% had no records. Delays longer than 60 days were most frequent in the North (52.2%), followed by the Southeast (47.0%), Northeast (43.6%), South (41.7%), and Midwest (21.1%).
CONCLUSION
Breast cancer incidence in Brazil rose significantly between 2020 and 2024, with pronounced regional disparities in both distribution and access to timely treatment. The Northeast showed the sharpest proportional increase in incidence, while the North had the highest rates of therapeutic delay. These findings underscore the urgent need for targeted public policies to reduce regional inequalities, strengthen oncology networks, and enforce existing legislation to ensure equitable access and improve patient outcomes.