The burden of childhood cancer in Mexico: Implications for low- and middle-income countries
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Updated: Mar 11, 2026

Assessment of the Metabolic Profile of Primary Leukemia Cells
Published on: November 21, 2018
Roberto Rivera-Luna1,2, Marta Zapata-Tarres3, Jaime Shalkow-Klincovstein2
1Division of Pediatric Hem/Oncology, National Institute of Pediatrics (NIP), Mexico City, Mexico.
Abstract:
In Mexico, childhood cancer incidence and mortality have increased in the last decade. Through government actions since 2005, the Popular Medical Insurance (PMI) program for childhood cancer was created. The objective of PMI was to offer early cancer diagnosis, standardized treatment regimens, and numerous pediatric oncology residency programs. It has also accredited 55 national hospitals for the care of these children. Current problems still present under the PMI include shortage of pediatric oncologists and nurses and high rate of abandonment of treatment. Our aim is to describe the current scenario of childhood cancer care in Mexico, especially from the perspective of the PMI and how it has impacted human resources, infrastructure, and medical education.
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