Políticas basadas en la evidencia científica: el caso del control del cáncer de mama en Colombia

Colombia ranks at an intermediate risk leve/ regarding the development of breast cancer, with an age-standardized incidence rate of 44.1 per 100,000 women. Although mammography screening and annual Clinical Breast Examination for women aged 50 to 69 are recommended in Colombia, as well as early detection for symptomatic women regardless of age, mortality from this cause has not been reduced in Colombia. Multiple causes seem to explain this problem: low participation of the target population in mammography screening activities, poor quality of mammography, and access barriers for timely diagnosis and comprehensive treatment. In view of this problem, the House of Representatives approved in first debate last October 3 Bill no. 259 of 2019 "by means of which measures and other provisions for prevention, diagnosis, timely treatment, rehabilitation, and palliative care of breast cancer are set up". The Colombian Ilational Cancer Institute IIIC, held a forum on December 9, 2019, aimed at reviewing the scientific support of the content of the bill and contribute to its proper discussion. The purpose of this paper is to present the analysis of the most controversial points from a scientific perspective, as a basis for appropriate decision-making in public health policy.