On September 6, the Ministry of Health and Social Development launched the National Cancer Control Plan (PNCC) to develop and implement strategies for cancer prevention, treatment, diagnosis and palliative care. According to resolution 1760/2019 published in the Official Gazette the previous day, these policies come under the wing of the National Cancer Institute (INC, for its acronym in Spanish) and aim to improve the quality of life of those affected by this disease and their families.

During the presentation, which took place at the National Academy of Medicine, the Secretary of Government of Health, Adolfo Rubinstein, explained that 25% of the country’s mortality rate is due to the disease and that it is likely that “in no more than 10 years it will become the leading cause of death.” He stressed that “a political and strategic framework is essential to support the implementation of the strategies designed to tackle this epidemic.”

The official emphasized the importance of collaborating with the agencies working in the field and society in general to reduce risk factors, such as implementing a healthy lifestyle with diet and more physical activity, addressing tobacco consumption and reducing the problematic use of alcohol and other harmful substances.

Rubinstein was accompanied by Maureen Birmingham, who is the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) representative in Argentina who drew attention to the fact that the plan is based on the latest recommendations of the World Health Organization. Also present was INC director Julia Ismael.