Time Interval Between Diagnosis and Treatment for Breast Cancer in Brazil (2021-2025)
Arthur Simas Heisser, Karen Klein, Mariana Schlindwein Afonso, Yasmin Marques Loureiro, Rafaela Coelho PiresPURPOSE
Breast cancer is the most incident neoplasm among women in Brazil and the leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the country. Although Brazilian Law No. 12,732/2012 guarantees the right to initiate treatment within 60 days of diagnosis, evidence suggests a discrepancy between legal requirements and healthcare practice within the Unified Health System (SUS). This study aims to analyze the time interval between breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, measuring the magnitude of legal non-compliance.
METHODS
A cross-sectional, descriptive, retrospective, and quantitative study was conducted on the waiting time for breast cancer treatment in Brazil between 2021 and 2025. Secondary data were extracted from the “PAINEL-Oncologia” of the Brazilian Health Informatics Department. Variables included year of diagnosis, time to treatment, and staging (TNM system). The time interval was categorized into: up to 30 days, 31-60 days, and more than 60 days. Notifications lacking treatment time information were excluded.
RESULTS
Between 2021 and 2025, 231,531 breast cancer cases with documented diagnostic-to-treatment intervals were reported. Approximately 21.5% of patients initiated therapy within 30 days, 20.5% between 31 and 60 days, and roughly 58% after 60 days. In 2024, only 39.5% of patients began treatment within the legal timeframe, marking the highest rate of delayed initiation. By 2025, the percentage starting within 60 days rose to approximately 50%. Notably, early-stage cases (TNM 0 and 1) recorded the highest delay rates, exceeding 70%, while advanced-stage cancers showed lower non-compliance.
CONCLUSION
Data analysis confirms significant barriers to complying with Brazilian legislation, as approximately 58% of patients initiated treatment beyond the 60-day legal limit. A prioritization of advanced cases over early-stage ones was observed, suggesting a compromise of the ideal therapeutic window in early phases within the public health system. Further research is essential to deepen the understanding of factors associated with these delays, including age and regional disparities in oncological care access.