Original Research
Implementation and initial outcomes of a breast cancer screening program in remote areas: a case study in the western Amazon, Brazil
AUTHORS
Ana Maria Rodrigues Negreiros1 RN, Nurse Manager
Thiago Silva2 PhD, Research Coordinator * 
Anderson Vasconcelos Teixeira1 Administrative Assistant
Igor Fecury1 MSc, Physician
Edmundo C Mauad PhD, Medical Director
Raphael Luiz Haikel Junior2 PhD, Director
André Lopes Carvalho3 PhD, Deputy Head, Early Detection
Lívia Loamí Ruyz Jorge de Paula2 PhD, Research Nurse
AFFILIATIONS
1 Barretos Cancer Hospital – Hospital de Amor Acre, Rio Branco, Acre, Brazil
2 Barretos Cancer Hospital, Barretos, São Paulo, Brazil
3 Prevention and Early Detection Branch, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
ACCEPTED: 12 September 2025
Early Abstract:
Purpose: The objective of this study was to analyze the implementation of a breast cancer screening program in the state of Acre (Western Amazon, Brzil) and assess its initial outcomes.
Methods: Launched in July 2019, the program comprised a fixed unit and two mobile units targeting women aged 40-69. Quality control measures were rigorous. From 2020 to 2021, 17,680 mammograms were performed, with one-third by the mobile units.
Findings: 64 breast cancer cases were detected, with 92.1% diagnosed at early stages (0, I, II), a significant improvement from the state's historical rate of 49.9% (2000-2015).
Conclusions: The program overcame access challenges by offering services closer to patients. Despite initial hurdles like staffing shortages and data management issues, the program demonstrated promising outcomes in screening uptake and cancer detection. Sustained efforts are crucial for enhancing effectiveness and ensuring equitable access to screening services.
Keywords: breast neoplasms, developing countries, mass screening, neoplasm staging, rural population.