Prioritization of Patients with Abnormal Breast Findings in the Alerta Rosa Navigation Program to Reduce Diagnostic Delays.

Jaime Tamez-SalazarTeresa Mireles-AguilarCynthia de la Garza-RamosMarisol Garcia-GarciaAna S FerrignoAlejandra PlatasCynthia Villarreal Garza
Published in: The oncologist (2020)
Low- and middle-income countries such as Mexico currently lack the infrastructure to achieve effective breast cancer screening and guarantee prompt access to health care when required. To reduce the disease burden in such settings, strategies targeting early detection are urgently needed. Patient navigation programs aid in the reduction of health system intervals and optimize the use of available resources. This article presents the introduction of a triage system based on initial patient concern. Appointment prioritization proved to be successful at reducing health system intervals and achieving early-stage diagnoses by overcoming barriers that impede early access to quality medical care.