Lula sanctions law that creates national cancer control policy – 12/20/2023 – Health

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) sanctioned this Wednesday (20) the law that creates the national cancer prevention and control policy.

One of the points of the new policy is the establishment of a period of 180 days so that, following the publication of a decision to incorporate a new technology in oncology, the technical areas can implement their offer in the SUS (Unified Health System).

The proposal had been approved by the Senate at the end of November, when it was sent to the Presidency of the Republic. The sanction of the text was published this Wednesday (20) in the Official Gazette of the Union, without any veto.

The text provides a series of principles and guidelines to improve cancer control and treatment policy in Brazil.

The law determines that the objectives of the national policy will be to reduce the incidence of different types of cancer, guarantee adequate access to comprehensive care, contribute to improving the quality of life of users diagnosed with cancer and reduce mortality and disability caused by cancer. .

Regarding the item ‘comprehensive care’, the law determines that prevention, tracking, early detection and diagnosis of cancer, in addition to treatment, rehabilitation and palliative care for the patient, are part of this policy. It also seeks to guarantee psychological support for patients and their families.

The new law also determines that public authorities will maintain a data system capable of recording suspected and confirmed cases of cancer. Data from the entire assistance process must be included, from the moment of suspicion, including the stages of diagnosis, treatment and recovery.

This system seeks to allow consultation of the position on the waiting list for consultations and diagnostic or treatment procedures, including transplants.

Another principle of the national policy seeks to expand the supply of screening and early diagnosis services to populations in areas most in need of these services, with the structuring of fixed or mobile services.