title: A snapshot of cancer in Chile: analytical frameworks for developing a cancer policy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The South American country Chile now boasts a life expectancy of over 80 years. As a consequence, Chile now faces the increasing social and economic burden of cancer and must implement political policy to deliver equitable cancer care. Hindering the development of a national cancer policy is the lack of comprehensive analysis of cancer infrastructure and economic impact.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Evaluate existing cancer policy, the extent of national investigation and the socio-economic impact of cancer to deliver guidelines for the framing of an equitable national cancer policy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Burden, research and care-policy systems were assessed by triangulating objective system metrics--epidemiological, economic, etc.--with political and policy analysis. Analysis of the literature and governmental databases was performed. The oncology community was interviewed and surveyed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Chile utilizes 1% of its gross domestic product on cancer care and treatment. We estimate that the economic impact as measured in Disability Adjusted Life Years to be US$ 3.5 billion. Persistent inequalities still occur in cancer distribution and treatment. A high quality cancer research community is expanding, however, insufficient funding is directed towards disproportionally prevalent stomach, lung and gallbladder cancers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chile has a rapidly ageing population wherein 40% smoke, 67% are overweight and 18% abuse alcohol, and thus the corresponding burden of cancer will have a negative impact on an affordable health care system. We conclude that the Chilean government must develop a national cancer strategy, which the authors outline herein and believe is essential to permit equitable cancer care for the country.
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jimenez de la Jara
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bastias
authors.forename: Catterina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ferreccio
authors.forename: Cristian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moscoso
authors.forename: Sofia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sagues
authors.forename: Camilo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cid
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bronstein
authors.forename: Cristian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Herrera
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Nervi
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Corvalan
authors.forename: Ethel V
authors.initials: EV
authors.lastname: Velasquez
authors.forename: Pamela
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gonzalez
authors.forename: Enrique
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Castellon
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bustamante
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Oñate
authors.forename: Eileen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McNerney
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: Gareth I
authors.initials: GI
authors.lastname: Owen
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000639:trends; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000191:economics*; D059066:Gross Domestic Product; D018166:Health Care Reform / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006291:Health Policy / Q000191:economics*; D019456:Health Transition; D054625:Healthcare Disparities / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008495:Medical Oncology / Q000458:organization & administration; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology; D019057:Quality-Adjusted Life Years; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D000078329:Workforce