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As part of its 80th anniversary in Colombia, PALIG has published a study on the incidence and costs of cancer in Latin America
Colombia
August 15, 2019
Estimated Reading Time: 5m
- According to the Pan‑American Life Insurance Group (PALIG), cancer incidence in Latin America is lower than in Europe or the United States, but its mortality rate is twice as high.
- The estimated cost of cancer treatment in Latin America is 1.16 trillion dollars.
- Colombia is one of the preferred destinations for oncology treatment for PALIG patients from countries such as Honduras and El Salvador, as well as the Caribbean.
Bogota, August 2019. Incidence rates and the cost of cancer treatment have risen at an alarming pace in Latin America and the Caribbean over the past three years, with increases of nearly 40% and 15%, respectively. On average, cancer is also being detected at very advanced stages in this region of the world, compared to first world countries, which reduces survival rates. This trend has led to a nearly 20% increase in medical costs for cancer treatment in 2018, and it continues to contribute to the rising premiums currently affecting the private healthcare industry.
These are some of the conclusions of the report Reducing Cancer Risk Factors is Possible, produced by the insurance company Pan‑American Life Insurance Group (PALIG) in preparation of its 80th anniversary in Colombia. The report published by the insurer presents a thorough overview of this disease in Latin America. Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and the number of new cases is expected to grow by nearly 70% over the next two decades.
PALIG’s analysis also found that the number of cancer cases diagnosed in Latin America is lower than in Europe or the United States, but mortality is nearly twice as high. If this does not change, specialists fear a cancer epidemic in the continent over the coming years. The document reveals that the incidence of cancer throughout Latin America is 163 cases per 100,000 inhabitants, lower than the 300 cases per 100,000 in the US and the 264 cases recorded in European countries. In contrast, there is an inversely proportional number of deaths from this diagnosis: 13 victims for every 22 cases of cancer in Latin America, compared to 13 deaths for every 30 cases in Europe and for every 37 in the US.
The PALIG report also assesses the financial impact of cancer: in 2010, the total annual economic cost of cancer worldwide was estimated at approximately 1.16 trillion dollars. Other estimates, which include the long‑term costs for patients and their families, double that annual overall cost. The alarming increase in the frequency of new cancer cases, along with the rising cost of treatments using new technologies in Latin America, has significantly impacted the cost of health insurance and the demand for resources from governments that finance public health.
In this context, PALIG reports that Colombia has become one of the preferred destinations for its patients from neighboring countries including Honduras and El Salvador, as well as the Caribbean, for oncology treatments such as transplants, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. With its first‑class health centers and professionals, Colombia is recognized for its use of technology, its personalized and high‑quality care, and its proximity to Central American and Caribbean countries.
Risk Factors in Latin America
According to the figures analyzed in the PALIG report, approximately 50% of cancer deaths are preventable. Each year, more effective screening tests are becoming available, allowing people to be diagnosed earlier. The main risk factors found include the following:
- Infectious agents such as human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B virus (HBV) and H. pylori, a type of bacteria that resides in the digestive tract and that can eventually cause stomach cancer.
- Contaminants found in the environment and excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, from both sunlight and tanning beds.
- Obesity is a growing problem in Latin America and is the main overall risk factor for heart disease and diabetes. Around 139 million people in the region (23%) are estimated to be overweight or obese. There is evidence connecting colorectal, kidney, gallbladder, breast, and endometrial cancers to obesity, unhealthy eating habits, and lack of physical activity.
- In Latin America, tobacco consumption contributes to 26% of all cancer deaths and 84% of lung cancer deaths. Cigarette smoking has also been linked to an increased risk of malignant tumors in the mouth, larynx, pharynx, esophagus, liver, pancreas, stomach, kidney, bladder, cervix, bowel, and possibly breast.
The preventive recommendations are as follows:
- Eat a balanced diet rich in fiber, fruit, vegetables, and white meat, while reducing intake of fat, red meat, processed food, sausage, alcohol, and cigarettes.Taking dietary supplements is also not recommended.
- People who drink alcoholic beverages should limit their consumption to a maximum of two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women.
- Choose BPA‑free plastic containers, since BPA enters the body through ingestion, inhalation, and skin contact. Some scientists believe that this chemical may affect metabolism and play a role in diabetes and obesity. According to the Breast Cancer Fund, BPA is a synthetic estrogen that can disrupt the hormone system, especially in infants, and BPA exposure could increase the risk of breast and prostate cancer, infertility, early puberty, and metabolic disorders.
- In Latin America, barbecues are synonymous with hanging out with family or friends. Barbecue meat is indeed a good source of protein, but scientists have discovered that cooking it over direct heat changes its chemical and molecular structure, especially in the case of processed food such as sausages and hamburgers. This releases a carcinogen called heterocyclic aromatic amines. The recommendation is to grill meat in a pan or on a surface that does not come into direct contact with the heat source, and to avoid eating smoked foods.
- Avoid direct exposure to the sun when the sun’s rays are strongest and stay in the shade as much as possible. Avoid sunbeds and sunlamps, and always use sunscreen as directed by your dermatologist.
ABOUT PAN‑AMERICAN LIFE INSURANCE GROUP
Pan‑American Life Insurance Group (PALIG), a leading provider of life, accident and health insurance throughout the Americas, has been delivering trusted financial services since 1911. The New Orleans‑based Group is comprised of more than thirty‑member companies, employs more than 2,200 worldwide and offers top‑rated individual and/or group life, accident and health insurance, employee benefits and financial services in 49 states, the District of Columbia (DC), Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. The Group has affiliates and branches in Costa Rica, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, and 13 Caribbean markets, including Barbados, Cayman Islands, Curacao and Trinidad and Tobago. For more information, visit the Pan‑American Life website at palig.com, follow us on Facebook @PanAmericanLife, Twitter @PanAmericanLife, Instagram @panamericanlife.latam, and connect with us on LinkedIn at Pan‑American Life Insurance Group.