Peru is advancing towards its goal of universal health care for cancer patients, with major advancements in decentralizing cancer services and finalizing its second National Cancer Control Plan. This progress was confirmed by a team of experts from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), who visited Peru in April for an extensive review of the country's cancer control strategies.

During their mission, the experts observed that while improvements in nuclear medicine and radiotherapy are underway, additional resources are needed to further enhance cancer care. Following this, Rafael Mariano Grossi, Director General of the IAEA, visited Peru on June 2. He toured the National Cancer Institute (Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Neoplásicas - INEN) and reaffirmed the IAEA's support for Peru through its Rays of Hope initiative. This program aims to expand access to cancer care in regions with the greatest need.

“Rays of Hope will bolster Peru's cancer treatment capabilities by supplying extra equipment for radiotherapy services,” Grossi announced during his visit.

Peru faces a significant cancer burden, with the IARC’s Global Cancer Observatory (Globocan) ranking it as having the fourth highest incidence of cancer in its region. In 2022, over 70,000 new cancer cases were reported, predominantly affecting the prostate, stomach, and colorectal areas. This number is expected to increase by more than 30% by 2035. In response, the Ministry of Health has requested a second imPACT Review, a decade after the first, to aid its cancer control efforts.

Lisa Stevens, Director of the IAEA’s Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT), praised the progress made since the previous review. “It was an honor to see the advancements in cancer control, including improvements in planning, screening, training, and management,” she said during her visit to Lima.

The review's goal was to assess the progress in cancer prevention and control since 2014 and identify persistent gaps in providing equitable access to quality cancer services. Eric Ricardo Peña Sánchez, Peru’s Vice Minister of Public Health, emphasized that the findings from this review will guide the new integrated plan for cancer prevention and control and assist in mobilizing funds and strategic partners.

Efforts to decentralize cancer care have already begun, focusing on three major regions in Peru: the north, coastal south, and central highlands. This will make cancer services more accessible to patients outside the capital city. “The investments required are substantial,” noted Essy Milagros Maradiegue Chirinos, Executive Director of the Cancer Prevention and Control Directorate at the Ministry of Health (MINSA). “We will work with donors and partners to prioritize and efficiently manage these funds.”

Various organizations are supporting Peru’s cancer care advancement. Notable among them is MD Anderson Cancer Center, which contributed experts in cancer prevention and treatment, and City Cancer Challenge (C/Can), assisting with resource mobilization and capacity building in Arequipa.

Maureen Birmingham from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) highlighted the timing of the mission as crucial, given that the current cancer control plan is nearing completion. “We need comprehensive data to address existing gaps and ensure universal access to quality cancer care,” she stated.

The review team commended the notable improvements over the past decade, including the expansion of cancer care regulations and increased HPV vaccination coverage for girls up to 18 years old. The government has also enhanced information management with three population-based cancer registries and dedicated budget allocations for surveillance and research.

A planning workshop with over 80 stakeholders was held to validate the review findings and outline recommendations for improving cancer care and diagnosis. These insights will be incorporated into Peru’s third National Cancer Control Plan, demonstrating the country’s ongoing commitment to tackling its growing cancer burden.