On December 17, Nísia Veronica Trindade de Lima, Brazil’s Minister of Health, visited the University of Campinas (Unicamp) for a meeting where the project for the Advanced Oncology Center to be installed in Campinas (SP) was presented. The initiative aims to meet the growing demand for cancer diagnoses and treatments in the region. The minister indicated that the Federal Government will analyze the project and continue to collaborate to ensure its success: “It is an ongoing process,” she said.

During the meeting, Elaine Cristina de Ataíde, professor at the Faculty of Medical Sciences (FCM) and superintendent of the Clinical Hospital (HC) of Unicamp, outlined the challenges faced by the regional healthcare system, which is under constant pressure. Data from HC/Unicamp show a 4.16% increase in oncology hospitalizations in 2023 compared to the previous year, in addition to growth in outpatient care, imaging exams, and radiotherapy sessions.

Elaine de Ataíde (FCM/Unicamp and HC/Unicamp) presenting patient care data from the hospital.
Alongside her, Maria Luiza Moretti (FCM/Unicamp) and José Barreto (FCM/Unicamp, CEPID CancerThera, and Ministry of Health).

“We have been discussing the need for this project at different levels for some time, and we hope that in the future we can offer differentiated care to the population,” highlighted Ataíde. Among the challenges, she mentioned the rise in cancer diagnoses and the expected increase in cases due to population aging, as well as insufficient infrastructure for oncology patient care.

“Undoubtedly, expanding oncology services is essential, especially due to the changing population profile,” said Campinas Mayor Dário Saadi, who expressed willingness to discuss details of the project, including its future location in the city (still under definition). The project also foresees a partnership with the National Center for Research in Energy and Materials (CNPEM) to develop innovative therapies based on particle acceleration, such as proton therapy.

Importance for research and cancer treatment

Elba Etchebehere, professor at FCM/Unicamp, principal investigator at CEPID CancerThera, and president-elect of SBMN.

In addition to its impact on patient care, the project could broaden perspectives for clinical research in Oncology, Nuclear Medicine, and Proton Therapy. Elba Etchebehere highlights the potential benefits that the implementation of this project could bring: “The Advanced Oncology Center would enable significant advances in the clinical research we have been developing, making proton therapy possible in Brazil and expanding access to theranostics for more cancer patients. It’s an opportunity to combine scientific innovation with excellent care for cancer patients,” she says.

Alongside the Minister of Health, the HC/Unicamp superintendent, and the mayor of Campinas, the presentation panel also included: Antonio José de Almeida Meirelles, rector of Unicamp; José Barreto Campello Carvalheira, general coordinator of the National Policy for Cancer Prevention and Control at the Ministry of Health, also professor at FCM/Unicamp and principal researcher at CancerThera; Antonio José Roque da Silva, general director of CNPEM; Maria Luiza Moretti, general coordinator at Unicamp; and Claudio Saddy Rodrigues Coy, director of FCM/Unicamp.

From left to right: Claudio Coy; Dário Saadi; Nísia Trindade; Antonio José Meirelles; Maria Luiza Moretti; Elaine Ataíde; José Barreto; and Antonio José Roque.

In the photo album below, see more photos of the meeting, which took place in two parts: a welcome lunch for the Ministry of Health delegation at the Visiting Professor’s House restaurant at Unicamp, and the official presentation of the Advanced Oncology Center project at the HC/Unicamp Superintendency auditorium.