Costos de la Detección Oportuna de Cáncer de Mama en Población Femenina del Cantón Machala

Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of female mortality in Ecuador, and in Machala this problem is worsened by barriers to access, technological limitations, and the absence of systematic prevention programs. To address this, the costs of implementing an early detection program for women aged 40 to 49 years a population of 21,437 were evaluated, projecting 80% coverage over three years. Using a quantitative and health economics approach, the estimated total cost was $2,626,892.50 (an average of $153.22 per patient) to benefit 17,150 women, revealing a critical deficit in public infrastructure and the need for strategic partnerships with institutions such as SOLCA Machala and private providers. The results show that the program is technically and economically feasible, as investment in early screening reduces advanced treatment costs and improves survival rates. Its success will depend on effective inter-institutional coordination, strengthening of primary care, and community involvement, making it replicable in similar localities and a key strategy for promoting health equity.