Empowering Change: Revolutionizing Breast Cancer Care in Honduras
Written by Shannon Sotomayor , April 5, 2024
In the bustling cities of Tegucigalpa and San Pedro Sula, Honduras, a silent threat looms large: breast cancer. Despite its stealthy nature, this disease claims the lives of far too many Honduran women each year. But hope is on the horizon, thanks to the tireless efforts of One World Surgery’s dedicated team and the expertise of renowned breast cancer expert, Dr. Todd Tuttle.
The OWS Honduran team launched a study titled Mujeres Avanzando a la Sobrevida (MAS), a prospective cohort study designed to understand breast cancer diagnosis and treatment delays. Conducted across two pivotal sites, Hospital San Felipe in Tegucigalpa and La Liga Contra el Cancer in San Pedro Sula, the study engaged with 200 newly diagnosed patients to determine critical stages and identify barriers to timely intervention.
In February, OWS’s findings were presented to the Honduran congress, illuminating a path forward in the battle against breast cancer. What emerged from this landmark study was not just data, but a comprehensive strategy poised to revolutionize breast cancer care in Honduras. At its core, the strategy advocates for three pivotal steps:
- Educating Providers and Establishing Diagnostic Centers: Recognizing that knowledge is power, the initiative seeks to equip healthcare providers with the tools they need to detect breast cancer early. By establishing specialized diagnostic centers, patients can access timely screenings and interventions, increasing the likelihood of positive outcomes.
- Developing Navigation Pathways: Navigating the healthcare system can be daunting, especially for those grappling with a diagnosis of breast cancer. By streamlining patient pathways, OWS aims to ensure seamless access to diagnosis, treatment, and support services. Through this approach, barriers to care are dismantled, and patients are empowered to take control of their health journey.
- Launching a Nationwide Education Campaign: Knowledge is the first line of defense against breast cancer. To this end, OWS is committed to launching a nationwide education campaign, raising awareness about the signs and symptoms of breast cancer and the importance of early detection. By engaging communities across Honduras, the campaign seeks to demystify breast cancer, reduce stigma, and encourage proactive healthcare-seeking behaviors.
But transforming healthcare requires more than just strategy—it demands action. Despite facing challenges in securing governmental support and resources, OWS remains undeterred in its mission to reshape the healthcare landscape of Honduras. With each passing day, we inch closer to our goal of implementing these vital initiatives, knowing that every step forward brings us closer to saving lives.