MALIGNANT NEOPLASMS IN ADULTS AGED 18 TO 40 YEARS IN AMAZONAS: PROFILE OF CASE REGISTRIES AND CHALLENGES FOR EARLY DIAGNOSIS

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the challenges related to early cancer diagnosis among individuals aged 18 to 40 years in Amazonas, Brazil, considering oncological screening strategies. This is a descriptive, retrospective study with a quantitative approach, conducted using secondary data from the PAINEL-Oncologia/DATASUS database, covering the period from 2023 to 2025. A total of 1,559 records of malignant neoplasms were analyzed using absolute and relative frequencies. Females predominated (72.4%), as did individuals aged 35 to 40 years (45%). The most frequent malignancies were cervical cancer (22.5%), skin cancer (13.4%), and breast cancer (12.2%). Manaus accounted for 95% of the recorded diagnoses. Among records with available information in the subgroup covered by Brazilian Law No. 12,732/2012, 48.8% showed an interval exceeding 60 days between diagnosis and treatment initiation. Socioeconomic barriers were discussed based on the literature, without direct measurement. The challenges to early cancer diagnosis extend beyond screening limitations, highlighting the need to strengthen Primary Health Care, improve clinical diagnostic assessment, promote the regionalization of healthcare services, and enhance access to oncological care.