Cancer care challenges and new infrastructure investments in Peru

Health specialists in Ayacucho are warning of significant barriers to timely breast cancer detection, including cultural prejudices, lack of medical orientation, and limited diagnostic equipment. Zenaida Cabrera, an obstetrician from the Huamanga Health Network, noted that many women avoid preventive exams due to fear or shame. The region currently operates with only one mammography machine and requires more specialized professionals. The Regional Hospital of Ayacucho reports approximately 26 breast cancer patients, some of whom must be referred to Lima or Huancayo for specialized treatment.

In Moquegua, Anglo American is investing 14 million soles to fund an oncology tower at the Hospital Regional de Moquegua. This project, part of a regional government initiative, involves constructing a five-story building equipped to treat approximately 150 oncology patients per month. The facility will include areas for chemotherapy, pharmacy, outpatient consultation, and hospitalization. The investment aims to reduce the need for local patients to travel to Tacna, Arequipa, or Lima for specialized care, serving a regional population of roughly 210,000 people.