Preprint / Version 1

Breaking barriers in cancer pain management: a report from the National Week Against Cancer Pain in Argentina 2025

Authors

  • Ariel Cherro línica 25 de Mayo; Palliative Care Council, Argentine Society of Medicine; Carehome

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62059/8b8g7w39

Keywords:

Cancer pain, Palliative care, National awareness week, Pain management, Volunteer support

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer-related pain remains a major public health challenge in Latin America,where systemic, professional and social barriers frequently delay access to adequatepalliative care.Methods: The Palliative Care Council of the Argentine Society of Medicine organised theNational Week Against Cancer Pain 2025, the second edition of a nationwide initiative firstlaunched in 2022. The programme combined digital advocacy, community-based educationalactivities and a volunteer‑led clinical network. Mass-media communication wasamplified by public figures, alongside in‑person and virtual activities for the communityand free clinical consultations delivered through a dedicated web platform supported byinstitutional digital channels.Results: During the peak activation period, the campaign achieved nearly 50,000 directdigital impressions, with substantial additional reach generated through secondary disseminationby high‑profile influencers. More than 100 free clinical consultations wereprovided, both virtually and in person, across 13 Argentine provinces. Community‑basedactivities were conducted in multiple regions, supported by academic societies, provincialgovernments and civil organisations. The initiative generated over 50 appearances innational and regional media outlets.Conclusion: A coordinated strategy combining digital innovation, community engagementand professional volunteerism can significantly reduce barriers to cancer pain management.This experience offers a scalable and replicable model for improving early access topalliative care in middle‑income countries.

Author Biography

  • Ariel Cherro, línica 25 de Mayo; Palliative Care Council, Argentine Society of Medicine; Carehome

    Specialist in Internal Medicine Specialist in Palliative Care Recertified in Palliative Care by the National Academy of Medicine (Argentina) Medical Director of Carehome, a home-based palliative care team Director of the Palliative Care Council, Argentine Society of Medicine Faculty member in Palliative Care at the School of Medicine, National University of Mar del Plata Head of Palliative Medicine at Clínica 25 de Mayo, Mar del Plata``

References

Cherro Ariel, Aresca Laura, Ciruzzi María Susana, Agranatti Alejo, Montaña María Fernanda, Frahne Cynthia, Cimerman Jaqueline (2026) Breaking barriers in cancer pain management: a report from the National Week Against Cancer Pain in Argentina 2025 ecancer 20 2153 https://ecancer.org/en/journal/article/2153-breaking-barriers-in-cancer-pain-management-a-report-from-the-national-week-against-cancer-pain-in-argentina-2025

Cleary J, Powell RA, and Munene G, et al (2013) Improving pain relief in developing countries: a cost and palliative care inventory Ann Oncol 24(Suppl 11) xi24–xi28 https://doi.org/10.1093/annonc/mdt500

Hui D, Bruera E, and De Lima L (2018) Barriers to integration of palliative care in oncology: perspectives from Latin America Lancet Oncol 19(11) e560–e566

Pastrana T, De Lima L, and Wenk R, et al (2021) Atlas of Palliative Care in Latin America 2nd edn (Houston: IAHPC Press)

Wenk R, Bertolino M, and De Lima L, et al (2021) Opioid availability and access to cancer pain management in Argentina J Clin Oncol 39(15 Suppl) e24027

World Health Organization (2021) Assessing the Development of Palliative Care Worldwide: a Set of Actionable Indicators (Geneva: World Health Organization) [https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240033351]

Centeno C, Sitte T, and De Lima L, et al (2007) The palliative care challenge: analysis of barriers and opportunities to integrate palliative care in the health system J Palliative Med 10(1) 125–132 [https://doi.org/10.1089/jpm.2006.0123]

Sallnow L, Richardson H, and Murray SA, et al (2016) The impact of a new public health approach to end-of-life care: a systematic review Palliative Med 30(3) 200–211 https://doi.org/10.1177/0269216315599869

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Status: Under review in Revista Argentina de Medicina

RAM is a quarterly publication edited and financed by the Argentine Society of Medicine aimed at disseminating biomedical, epidemiological and social scientific topics related to the following branches of clinical medicine: bioethics, cardiology, critical care, palliative care, dermatology, pain, education, emergentology, endocrinology, epidemiology, pharmacology and…

Downloads

Posted

2026-08-28