Analysis of Mammography Machine Needs in Mexico and Uruguay

Cancer is a primary global health concern, one of the leading causes of death and morbidity. Reports indicate that women diagnosed with breast cancer in developing countries face a mortality rate of 17%, higher than those in developed countries. This is attributed to a lack of education, cultural and economic gaps, and limited access to health centers. In LATAM, increasing age is the most critical risk factor for breast cancer. Mammography screening is crucial in identifying individuals at higher risk of health issues within the healthy population, allowing timely treatments. However, breast cancer screening strategies may vary across LATAM, considering factors such as target population, frequency of screening, imaging technique, age of initiation, and completion of screening. An analysis was conducted to improve screening programs in Mexico and Uruguay using available information. The study focused on municipalities with the highest poverty rates to identify critical determinants impacting access to mammography services. Socioeconomic and demographic determinants, screening mammography demand, and the availability of mammography machines were utilized as variables to categorize the target population, epidemiological indicators, and infrastructure under heuristic assumptions. In both countries, the highest priority locality coincided with the one having the most significant target population, the target population category was considered a high-impact factor in prioritization, despite having a lower value in the model. This information provides valuable support for formulating programs and policies that prioritize the target population and its environment. This approach ensures a suitable allocation of available resources, improving healthcare outcomes in breast cancer screening.