The Relevant Work of Breast Cancer Patient Associations in the Search for Quality Access to Care and Guarantee of Rights in Brazil

• Published in: Current breast cancer reports 2023-09, Vol.15 (3), p.316-321
• Main Authors: Caleffi, Maira, Hobold, Erica Ana, Johnson, Gabriel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Internal Medicine; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oncology; Surgical Oncology; Topical Collection on Global Oncology
• ISSN: 1943-4588; 1943-4596
• DOI: 10.1007/s12609-023-00496-0

Purpose of Review Breast cancer care is a challenge of many proportions in Brazil’s public health system (Unified Health System (SUS)). These bottlenecks are often the target of advocacy work by patient associations, whose advocacy effort is the focus of analysis of this review article. Recent Findings Since the 1990s, social movements have occupied institutionalized spaces of social participation. The SUS, in turn, has several structural problems that often hinder navigation of cancer patients, resulting in long waiting times and poor outcomes. Summary Cancer advocacy in Brazil has been a crucial component to help increase awareness about cancer prevention and control, reduce cancer-related stigma, and ensure that cancer patients have access to quality care and treatment. The protagonism of patient associations has played a vital role in advancing rights guarantees and implementing cancer policies. Among them, we will highlight the work of Brazilian Federation of Breast Health Support Philanthropic Institutions (FEMAMA), a national advocacy network which has shown impact on the history of patient empowerment in Brazil.