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The New Era of Oncology: Tech, Humanity, and Comprehensive Care

By Carlos Aguilar - Auna
General Director Mexico

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Carlos Aguilar By Carlos Aguilar | General Director Mexico - Mon, 05/05/2025 - 06:30

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The landscape of oncology care is undergoing a profound transformation. In Mexico, where cancer remains the third leading cause of death, claiming more than 80,000 lives each year, the urgency to rethink our approach to oncology is undeniable. Beyond treating the disease, we must address the patient’s entire journey — their emotional, social, and medical dimensions. A diagnosis not only impacts the body, it alters every sphere of a person’s life.

Despite medical advances, one of the greatest challenges continues to be late diagnosis. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 70% of cancer cases in low- and middle-income countries are detected at advanced stages, drastically reducing survival rates. This trend highlights a structural gap: prevention is still not an essential part of our culture. Building a future where early detection becomes the norm requires far more than raising awareness; it demands structural changes, access to advanced technology, and a new vision of what it means to truly care for health.

Innovation in healthcare has been key to advancing toward more timely, precise, and person-centered care. Technologies like PET-CT and the high-precision surgical microscope we recently acquired at Doctors Hospital East are already transforming treatments by enabling more accurate diagnoses and less invasive procedures. Additionally, the incorporation of the cyclotron at Doctors Hospital Auna makes it the first and only hospital in Mexico licensed and certified to produce and commercialize radiopharmaceuticals, essential tools in nuclear medicine for oncology. These capabilities not only strengthen early diagnosis and treatment monitoring but also allow us to do so with a strategic and sustainable vision.

The transformation of oncology care must go hand in hand with expanding access to alternatives that integrate prevention, early diagnosis, treatment, and human-centered support in an effective and comprehensive manner. It is encouraging to see how innovative models are beginning to emerge in Mexico, such as specialized oncology insurance and centers dedicated exclusively to this disease — places where research, cutting-edge technology, and a patient-centered approach converge. These options, beyond responding to an urgent need, represent a step forward toward a more equitable healthcare system, one where patients are not seen merely as a diagnosis but are accompanied throughout their entire treatment journey.

This approach — one that integrates healthcare innovation, specialized medical talent, and close human support — is, in my view, what can truly make a difference in the future of oncology in Mexico. A model that not only treats the disease but also embraces the physical, emotional, and social well-being of those facing this challenge.

Leading this transformation requires finding the right balance between vision and action. It means embracing innovation without losing sight of the human stories that give meaning to everything we do. Beyond saving lives, it demands a commitment to preserving dignity, hope, and quality of life.

Looking ahead, I envision a Mexico where oncology care is no longer fragmented or reactive but proactive, comprehensive, and deeply human. A country where early detection is the norm, where technology harmoniously integrates with compassion, and where every patient receives the support of a system truly committed to their well-being.

I am proud to be part of this transformation. Our commitment is clear: to innovate relentlessly, to care deeply, and to build a future where the fight against cancer is not a solitary path, but a collective effort supported by the best medical, technological, and human resources.

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