Bladder Cancer in Latin America: A call for action by Dr Mario Fernández at the World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum

The World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2024 kicked-off with a keynote presentation by Dr Mario Fernández, Associate Professor of Urology at Clínica Alemana in Santiago, Chile. He highlighted the growing burden of bladder cancer in Latin America, emphasising the region’s unique challenges, such as environmental risk factors and gaps in healthcare infrastructure.

Bladder cancer cases in Latin America are rising, with over 23,000 new cases reported in 2022, according to GLOBOCAN. Dr Fernández explained that exposure to arsenic (a toxic substance found naturally in the environment or from industrial activities such as in agriculture, and is particularly present in water and soil) in areas like Antofagasta, Chile, has been linked to higher rates of more aggressive bladder cancer. He also stressed the significant role of smoking in driving the increase in cases, a concerning trend given the high smoking prevalence peaking in some Latin American countries.

A major theme of Dr Fernandez’s presentation was the disparity in healthcare access across the region. He explained that in Chile, patients in public hospitals often face long waits for surgeries and treatments like Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy, which is vital for preventing recurrence in high-risk patients.

Dr Fernandez highlighted the important need for increased funding and better access to advanced treatments, stressing that bladder cancer remains one of the most expensive cancers to manage and treat due to its high recurrence rate and the lifelong need for follow-up care.

Despite these challenges, he highlighted important ways to improve the situation. He called for more funding to improve cancer care and shorten waiting times, and for healthcare systems to be reorganised to ensure everyone has equittable access to treatment. He also stressed the need for more cancer specialists and better training, along with more investment in research and cancer registries to better understand the disease. In closing, Dr Ferndandez urged for stronger patient advocacy across Latin America to make sure patients’ voices are heard in healthcare decisions and policies.

Watch Dr. Mario Fernández’s full session, Bladder Cancer in Latin America: A Call for Action, on the WBCPC YouTube Channel. The event report will also be available soon, capturing key insights from the Forum. Stay tuned!