Assessing the long-term impact of a public cancer screening program in Brazil: Ten years of experience.

Abstract

e22505 Background: Cancer represents a major global health burden, with profound impacts on public health, society, and healthcare systems, and remains one of the leading causes of mortality worldwide. Given its high morbidity and mortality, strategies focused on cancer prevention and early diagnosis are critical for improving patient prognosis and reducing disease burden. However, social and economic inequalities substantially affect access to healthcare services, including cancer screening, thereby limiting the effectiveness of early detection efforts. In this context, the implementation of public, free-of-charge, effective, and accessible cancer screening programs is essential to promote equitable early diagnosis at the population level. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and outcomes of a public cancer screening program implemented over a ten-year period (2014–2025) in a large municipality in Brazil. Methods: The cancer screening program, entitled Mutirão do Câncer, has been conducted annually in a central public square in the municipality of Montes Claros, Minas Gerais, Brazil. The program is held on a single day each year and operates continuously for approximately 12 hours. During this period, individuals seeking healthcare services undergo cancer screening evaluations across multiple specialties, including mastology, gynecology, urology, dermatology, dentistry, and nutrition. Accordingly, a multidisciplinary team—comprising physicians, dentists, researchers, the nursing team, nutritionists, physiotherapists, and students—provides cancer prevention education, clinical assessments, and laboratory testing for individuals identified as being at risk for or suspected of having cancer. Results: From 2014 to 2025, a total of 27,219 individuals were evaluated through the program for cancer screening and prevention strategies. Among them, 2,882 individuals were screened for cervical cancer, 6,425 for breast cancer, 3,351 for oral cancer, 4,865 for prostate cancer, and 3,951 for skin cancer. Moreover, 3,348 received nutritional interventions and guidance related to cancer prevention. Throughout the years, the program diagnosed 321 patients with cancer, with prostate (49%) and skin (43%) cancers being the most common diagnoses. Between 2014 and 2025, over 5,500 patients underwent clinical/laboratory evaluation for breast, prostate, and cervical cancer upon presenting with risk factors or findings suggestive of malignancy. All patients diagnosed in the last two editions are still undergoing cancer treatment. Conclusions: This initiative constitutes a robust and free public cancer screening strategy with demonstrated effectiveness and strong potential to be replicated and adapted in other settings, thereby amplifying its public health impact.