Antofagasta Region reports 27 cervical cancer deaths in 2025

In the Antofagasta Region of Chile, 27 women died from cervical cancer during 2025, according to data from the Department of Statistics and Health Information (DEIS). The Human Papillomavirus (HPV) is identified as the primary cause of these deaths.

Regional screening coverage for cervical cancer (combining Pap smears and HPV testing) reached 51.12%, with 81,411 women undergoing examinations. Data from the CitoWeb platform indicates that 2,329 women in the region have been identified with suspected cancer. The highest number of suspected cases occurred in Antofagasta (1,329) and Calama (679).

Valeria Escobar, an academic and head of Obstetrics at the University of Antofagasta, noted that while Pap smear coverage in the Antofagasta Communal Plan has increased from 32.6% in June 2022, there is a critical distinction between diagnostic methods. She emphasized that while Pap smears detect existing cellular lesions, HPV testing directly identifies the genetic material of the virus.