The lack of radiotherapy equipment in Veracruz is causing waits of three to six months for cancer patients to begin treatment, negatively impacting their life expectancy, warned Rosa Isela Luna Ceballos, president of the civil association Tú Nos Inspiras.
She explained that up to 70% of cancer patients will require radiotherapy at some point in their treatment, in a context where cancer mortality reaches 50% of diagnosed cases, making immediate action urgent to guarantee timely care.
“They are on a waiting list; today, patients can wait between three and six months to receive their radiotherapy, depending on the institution and the demand at the location,” she said.
Luna Ceballos warned that the incidence of cancer could increase by up to 65% by 2040, driven by population aging and chronic diseases.
The most common types of cancer are breast cancer in women, prostate cancer in men, colon cancer (with a rapidly increasing incidence), and lung cancer, which are overwhelming oncology services.
“There are institutions in the state that can no longer find places to refer these patients and are sending them to other states because the state does not have sufficient capacity to provide these treatments,” he stated.
According to OECD standards, Veracruz needs at least one radiotherapy unit for every 300,000 inhabitants, that is, about 26 units. However, it only has two high-end units, both of which are operating at full capacity, highlighting a critical deficit in oncology infrastructure.
Source: meganoticias
