PurposeCancer mortality is approximately twice as high in Latin American countries
than in more developed countries. In particular, the countries of the high
Andean region of Latin America carry a double burden of breast and cervical
cancers. In these countries, there are disproportionately higher mortality
to incidence ratios compared with other regions in Latin America. The US
National Cancer Institute’s Center for Global Health, the Pan
American Health Organization, and the Ministry of Health in Peru
collaborated to design and execute an education and advocacy workshop in
Lima, Peru. The workshop was convened to discuss regional challenges and
practices, as well as to support the implementation of Plan Esperanza,
Peru’s national cancer control plan.MethodsWorkshop participants included local and international experts to present the
state of the science, health practitioners, and advocacy groups to discuss
unique barriers that women in the region experience.ResultsInequalities in access to and distribution of medical expertise, lack of
continuity of cancer control plans, and the need for sustained public buy-in
emerged as obstacles.ConclusionThe workshop provided a forum to discuss key issues regarding breast and
cervical cancer control among health professionals and advocates in Peru and
the region. This article outlines the resulting recommendations.