Guatemala Sets New Cancer Control Priorities Following International Review

IAEA, WHO, and IARC collaborate to support Guatemala in strengthening cancer care services and addressing gaps in prevention, treatment, and palliative care.

Guatemala is embarking on a new phase of cancer control following a detailed evaluation of its healthcare system by international experts. During a recent imPACT Review mission conducted in June 2024, a team of specialists from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) assessed the country's progress in cancer care since the previous review in 2010. The mission provided updated recommendations to the Ministry of Health, focusing on priority actions to strengthen cancer control.

Silvia Palma, the focal point for the imPACT Review at the Ministry of Public Health and Social Welfare, emphasized that this evaluation enabled the country to take a targeted, evidence-driven approach. Key priorities include capacity building for healthcare professionals, enhancing the national cancer registry, and improving palliative care services.

With cancer cases in Guatemala projected to rise to around 18,000 annually by 2045, urgent action is needed. Breast and cervical cancers remain a significant concern, accounting for 40% of new cancer diagnoses among women. These types of cancer were high on the agenda during the review, with experts stressing the importance of prevention, early detection, and improved treatment access.

Childhood cancer is another pressing issue, as almost half of the children diagnosed with cancer in the country die from the disease. Guatemala has been designated as a focal country for WHO's Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer, which aims to raise the global survival rate for children with cancer to at least 60%. Strengthening paediatric cancer care was a central theme during the review mission.

In addition to policy discussions, the expert team visited 23 healthcare facilities across various regions, including Guatemala City, Cuilapa, Quetzaltenango, and Totonicapán. These visits were crucial to validating preliminary data collected in earlier phases of the review and understanding the current state of cancer care services. International experts also engaged with national authorities, discussing cancer control governance, prevention strategies, radiotherapy infrastructure, and the role of civil society in combating cancer.

The mission underscored the importance of cooperation between the IAEA and WHO in supporting Guatemala's cancer control efforts. Lisa Stevens, Director of the IAEA’s Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy, highlighted the country's strong commitment to safe, peaceful, and secure applications of nuclear science and technology in healthcare. The findings of the imPACT Review will shape future cancer-related projects and guide the development of technical cooperation initiatives in Guatemala.

Through these efforts, Guatemala aims to close gaps in its cancer care system and improve outcomes for patients across the country.