SLACOM and NCCN Launch International Project to Improve Breast Cancer Care in Argentina

National Comprehensive Cancer Network and the Latin American and Caribbean Society of Medical Oncology collaborate to address policy and practice solutions to increase equitable access for breast cancer care, starting in Argentina and then expanding more broadly.

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network^® (NCCN^®)—a non-profit alliance of leading cancer centers across the United States—is launching a collaborative project with the Latin American and Caribbean Society of Medical Oncology (SLACOM) in Buenos Aires, Argentina, today. The joint initiative brings together patients, healthcare providers, government officials, and other thought leaders to analyze any barriers that prevent the delivery of optimal breast cancer care throughout the region. The group will also develop recommendations to ensure cancer treatment can be provided according to the latest evidence-based expert consensus NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines^®).

“Healthcare delivery systems in Latin America are grappling with how to deliver equitable access to cancer care while facing rising cancer incidence rates and corresponding health infrastructure challenges and treatment costs,” said Eduardo L. Cazap, MD, PhD, Founder and First President of SLACOM. “We need to establish pragmatic approaches for providing high-quality cancer care right now, while also promoting sustainable, long-term improvements to our healthcare systems throughout Latin America. Our work with NCCN will help us tailor clinical practice guidelines for our region to increase access, reduce inequality, and protect financial stability.”

“We are honored to work alongside SLACOM and others in the Latin America region to share our expertise in improving cancer care, and also learn from them,” said Robert W. Carlson, MD, Chief Executive Officer, NCCN. “We look forward to jointly determining innovative ways to ensure more people with breast cancer are treated according to evidence-based expert consensus guidelines. Past successes have shown us that it is easier to predict and meet cancer care needs when we can provide care that is both standardized on an international scale and adjusted for regional or local variations.”

Today’s workshop in Buenos Aires includes a rigorous analysis of the current landscape, with a focus on any obstacles and system disruptions that prevent the most appropriate delivery of care according to the latest research-backed recommendations.

The next phase of the project will include a broader regional summit for Argentina, Brazil, Mexico, Columbia, and Peru in 2023, to present the workshop findings and solicit additional feedback. The summit will also include presentations from patients and advocates sharing their perspective on challenges, barriers, and potential solutions for improving access to guideline-concordant breast cancer care.

About the National Comprehensive Cancer Network
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network^® (NCCN^®) is a not-for-profit alliance of leading cancer centers devoted to patient care, research, and education. NCCN is dedicated to improving and facilitating quality, effective, equitable, and accessible cancer care so all patients can live better lives. Visit NCCN.org for more information on the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines^®) and other initiatives. Follow NCCN on Facebook @NCCNorg, Instagram @NCCNorg and Twitter @NCCN.

¹ GLOBOCAN 2018. https://gco.iarc.fr/tomorrow/home (Accessed Oct 10, 2019).
² Prager GW, Braga S, Bystricky B, et al. Global cancer control: responding to the growing burden, rising costs and inequalities in access. 2018;3(2):e000285.