Cancer is the main cause of mortality between 45 and 64 years in the country and comprises more than 100,000 new cases and close to 60,000 deaths per year; equivalent to 145 per 100,000 individuals per year. Poverty and educational level strongly influence mortality rates [6].

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has estimated that in 2008 Argentina have had 104,859 new cases of malignant tumors (excluding those located in skin histology other than melanoma). This estimate is for both genders to an incidence of 206 new cases per year per 100,000 population. These estimates determine that, in relation to the rest of the world, Argentina has a medium–high cancer incidence. In magnitude, the larger volume of cases corresponds to breast cancer with more than 18,000 new cases per year (18 % of total), followed by prostate cancer (13,000 cases, 13 %). The incidence of cancer, considering all sites except skin non-melanoma is higher in men. However, the incidence of breast cancer in women is higher than that of prostate cancer in men [7] and Fig. 24.3.

The number of deaths from cancer has increased approximately 9 % in the last decade due to population growth and aging. However, the behavior of mortality was exactly the opposite; Standardized Mortality Rate (SMR) for cancer has decreased 10 %; from 118.82 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2001 to 107.49 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2011 (Fig. 24.4).

In 2011, cancer killed almost 58,000 men and women in Argentina. The Central region of the country, being the most populated, reported more than 70 % of these deaths. Lung cancer is observed in the first place of importance in all regions. Next, in order of frequency are colorectal cancer and breast cancer, except in South and North-West, where third and fourth are prostate cancer and stomach, respectively. Cervical cancer is registered in tenth place in the country and is among the five leading causes of cancer death in the North-East region [8].

In Argentina, lung cancer mortality in men has declined since 1980 at a sustained rate of 1.3 % annually. However, it increased in women—even at a steady pace—of nearly 2 % (Fig. 24.5). In this way, while in 1980 the gap between the genders was 37.7, in 2010 decreased to 19.7 deaths per 100,000 population.

Colorectal cancer mortality decreased in women since 1980 at a sustained rate of 0.8 % annually. However, in men this cancer mortality increased in the period 2002–2010 with an estimated annual change of 1 % (Fig. 24.6).

The National Cancer Institute of Argentina (INC)) is a body dependent on the Ministry of Health. Created on September 9, 2010 by Presidential Decree 1286, is responsible for the development and implementation of health policies and the coordination of integrated prevention and cancer control actions. Its main objective is to reduce cancer incidence and mortality in Argentina, as well as improve the quality of life of those affected by the disease.

Among its functions, the INC is responsible for coordinating promotion and prevention of cancer, early detection, treatment, and rehabilitation, as well as cancer research and human resources training in the country. The scope of activities include the development of standards for the comprehensive care of patients with cancer, promoting health and reducing risk factors, defining strategies for prevention and early detection, training of professionals, and the establishment of surveillance systems and epidemiological analysis.

The creation of the INC in Argentina was a decision of great significance in the health agenda of the government, and the main reason was to promote cancer control at the policy level, with the coordination of all actions nationwide, according to the available resources, culturally adapted and taking advantage of the existing resources of the Health System of the country.

Main programs of INC are: National Program for Cervical, Colon, and Breast cancers, together with a National Plan for Familiar and Hereditary Tumors, whose primary mission is “to improve the detection, management and prevention of high-risk groups in the Argentinean population,” contributing to the development of a hereditary tumor registry and the national development of a comprehensive network of care. The pediatric area aims to improve the morbidity and mortality of children and adolescents with childhood cancer and their social rehabilitation after specific treatment, through equitable access to quality health care. The Palliative Care program promotes continuous and integrated care for all cancer patients throughout their . disease, with particular emphasis on reducing their suffering and improving their quality of life for patients and families. Getting pain relief and access to opioid medication is an effective reality for all patients in the country, removing barriers to drugs access. The Tobacco Control Program general objective is to promote the production of scientific knowledge for the formulation of public policies planned to protect people from the effects of tobacco and the exposure to smoke snuff.

Fellowships and Educational Workshops . are also part of the activities, together with the Departments of Cancer Research, Epidemiological surveillance, Evaluation of Health Technologies, and Communication and Cancer Registries.

INC maintains continuous . collaboration with national, regional, and international organizations such as the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) , National Cancer Institute-US (NCI-US) , IARC, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) through the Program for Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT) , the Network of Latin-American Cancer Institutes (RINC) , and others [9].

Breast cancer is a major health problem of Argentine women, since it is the leading cause of cancer deaths in women. Annually, 5400 deaths from this disease and it is estimated that 18,000 new cases occur each year, representing 17.8 % of total cancer incidence in Argentina (Fig. 24.7).

The overall objective of the National Breast Cancer Program is to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. This program is based on the findings of a Situational Diagnosis of the National and Provincial Programs, conducted between 2009 and 2010 in the area of the Secretary for Community Health of the Ministry of Health, with technical and financial support from the PAHO.