Cancer prevention and genetic testing in Brazil

Public health initiatives in Brazil have introduced new diagnostic measures to combat cancer. In Rio Branco, the Municipal Health Secretariat began offering free HPV DNA molecular testing for women aged 25 to 64. This service, which includes a self-collection option, aims to identify high-risk virus types associated with cervical cancer before physical lesions develop.

In Goiás, the Todo Rosa program, a partnership between the State Health Secretariat and the Federal University of Goiás, has conducted over 1,100 genetic tests between January 2024 and September 2026 to identify hereditary predispositions to breast and ovarian cancer. The initiative focuses on mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes, using the Unified Health System to provide specialized follow-up for patients with genetic alterations.

Recent expansions in Mato Grosso include the Mãos Amigas Project, led by the Secretaria de Estado de Justiça, which has provided over 1,300 gynecological consultations, prenatal care, and specialized exams to incarcerated women across seven prison units. Additionally, during the Outubro Rosa campaign, Mato Grosso's Hospital Central performed over 100 procedures, such as mammographies and colposcopies, in a single day. In the municipality of Sinop, basic health units have implemented extended nighttime hours to improve access to preventive screenings and rapid testing for sexually transmitted infections.