Disparities in access to prostate cancer care across Latin America: A regional comparative analysis.

205 Background: Latin America presents significant heterogeneity in healthcare infrastructure, which directly impacts access to advanced diagnostics and therapies for prostate cancer (PCa). While technological advancements such as PET-PSMA imaging and robotic-assisted surgery have become standard in many high-income countries, their distribution and affordability across Latin American nations remain unclear. This study aimed to assess disparities in PCa care across seven countries in the region. Methods: A cross-country comparative analysis was conducted using data compiled from institutional records, expert reports, and public databases. We evaluated the availability and cost of PET-PSMA scans and da Vinci robotic platforms across Brazil, Peru, Argentina, Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia, and Chile. Coverage by public vs. private health sectors was also assessed. All monetary values were normalized to USD (2024) and compared to annual per capita income. Results: The implementation of PET-PSMA varied markedly by country, with Brazil initiating its use in 2015 and Peru only in 2023. PET-PSMA costs ranged from USD 670 (Brazil) to USD 2,800 (Colombia), often representing over 50% of the average annual income in lower-income countries. The distribution of robotic surgery platforms showed similar disparities, from 111 in Brazil to only 1 in Peru. Public sector coverage of advanced diagnostics and treatments was limited and private sector access do not exceed 30% in these countries. These disparities highlight a dual burden: geographic and socioeconomic barriers that hinder equitable care delivery. Conclusions: Access to advanced diagnostic and therapeutic modalities for PCa in Latin America is highly inequitable, favoring wealthier populations and private healthcare networks. Regional strategies and public health policies must address these systemic gaps to improve cancer outcomes equitably. Our findings underscore the urgent need for investment in infrastructure, resource allocation, and universal coverage strategies to reduce disparities in PCa care across the region. Country PET-PSMA Start Year PET-PSMA Cost (USD) Robotic Surgery Start Year Robotic Platforms (#) Public Access (%) Private Access (%) Brazil 2015 670–800 2008 111 70-75% 25-30% Peru 2023 1800 2024 2 90-95% 5-10% Argentina 2018 <800–1500 2006 3 80-85% 15-20% Venezuela 2021 1000–2500 2006 2 95-98% 2-5% Mexico 2020 1159–7275 2006 <21 85-90% 10-15% Colombia 2017 1500–2800 2009 15 80-85% <15-20% Chile 2016 1200–2500 2008 10 78-82% 18-22%