Early cancer detection: Analysis of a comprehensive screening program in a private clinic in Peru

Abstract

Background: Early cancer detection is crucial for improving patient prognosis and survival. However, in Latin America, the implementation of screening programs faces economic and logistical barriers.

Design and methods: This study evaluates the utility of an early detection program in a private clinic in Peru. A prospective study was conducted at the clinic's Oncology Center between 2017 and 2019. The sample comprised 31,057 patients who underwent routine examinations, including mammograms, biopsies, and blood tests. Patients with a previous diagnosis of primary cancer were excluded. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Chi-squared test to assess the effectiveness of the early detection service.

Results: The annual prevalence of cancer diagnosis among apparently healthy patients was 0.7%. Breast cancer was the most frequently diagnosed type (40.7%), with a significant difference observed between cases with positive (50.0%) and negative (2.3%) screening results. Most cases were in early clinical stages (stages 0 and 1, 58.4%), with a homogeneous distribution across groups (p = 0.570).

Conclusions: The preventive service proved to be highly effective in early detection of cancer, especially in patients with no apparent symptoms. However, limitations were identified, such as the incidence of false negatives in some tests.

Keywords: breast cancer; clinical stages; early detection; early diagnosis; preventive services.

Figure 1.

Flowchart of the selection of patients undergoing comprehensive cancer screening in Lima, Peru, from 2017 to 2019.

Figure 2.

Type of cancer diagnosed according to the results of the comprehensive cancer screening program in Lima, Peru, from 2017 to 2019.

Figure 3.

Type of cancer diagnosed by sex at cancer screening program in Lima, Peru, from 2017 to 2019.