The importance of cancer prevention and what is holding Yucatán back

Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, with cervical cancer being one of the most preventable yet still one of the most deadly, said Dr. John P. Díaz, a leading gynecologic oncologist at Baptist Health in Miami.

While taking a break from a medical conference in Mérida, our conversation illuminated a global disparity in cancer prevention. Yucatán is among the regions that lack effective cancer screening and HPV vaccination efforts.

While the United States sees relatively low numbers of cervical cancer cases—approximately 14,000 annually—other countries experience a much higher incidence.

“In the United States, we’ve managed to reduce cervical cancer cases significantly through widespread Pap smear screenings, HPV testing, and vaccination,” Dr. Díaz explained. “However, in places like Mexico and many other countries, these preventative measures are not as readily available or accessible, leading to a much higher rate of cervical cancer.”

The statistics are alarming. Globally, over 500,000 cases of cervical cancer are diagnosed each year, with the disease being one of the leading causes of cancer deaths among women in these regions. The challenge, according to Dr. Díaz, lies not only in the availability of resources but also in education and overcoming cultural stigmas associated with HPV and its vaccination.

The power of prevention: screening and vaccination

Dr. Díaz’s message is clear: prevention is key. Pap smears are a simple, cost-effective screening tool that can save lives by detecting cervical abnormalities before they develop into cancer. However, the uptake of such screenings is limited in many developing countries, including Mexico.

Moreover, the HPV vaccination, which can prevent the majority of cervical cancer cases, is not widely administered outside of more developed nations. The reasons are multifaceted—cost, lack of access, and cultural resistance all play a role. “There’s often a stigma associated with vaccinating young girls against a sexually transmitted infection,” Dr. Díaz noted. “This is a barrier we must overcome to protect future generations.”

Miami isn’t just for shopping trips

Baptist Health South Florida in Miami attracts patients from Yucatán and around the globe seeking advanced cancer treatment. Dr. Díaz highlighted the advanced robotic surgical techniques used at Baptist Health, which allow for minimally invasive procedures with quicker recovery times. This is particularly important for cancer patients, as it allows them to begin therapy sooner, potentially improving outcomes.

The hospital also offers cutting-edge treatments, such as proton therapy, which is not available in many parts of the world. This technology, along with a robust clinical trials program, positions Baptist Health as a leader in cancer care.

Bridging the Gap

While facilities like Baptist Health provide world-class care, the broader challenge remains—how do we extend these benefits to regions where such resources are more limited? Dr. Díaz stressed the importance of mobile screening units, education campaigns, and international collaborations to bring life-saving technology and practices to underserved areas.

“In places like Yucatan, we see a rising incidence of endometrial cancer, linked to aging populations and increasing obesity rates,” Dr. Díaz shared. “While we can treat these conditions effectively at our facility, the goal should be to prevent them through education and early detection.”

About Dr. Díaz

Díaz is medical director of Robotic Surgery and chair of the Robotics and Innovations in Surgery Subcommittee at Baptist Health South Florida.

Díaz oversees the organization’s expanding robotic surgery program as new technologies and field advances continue to develop exponentially.

Dr. Díaz has extensive training and experience in robotic and minimally invasive surgery. In December, he was named chief of Gynecologic Oncology at Miami Cancer Institute, where he performs surgery and leading-edge research in gynecologic cancer, including endometrial, ovarian, cervical, vaginal and vulvar cancer. He was one of five founding gynecologic oncologists at Miami Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health, when it opened in 2017.

“As our robotic surgery program continues to grow, we are fortunate to have a skilled leader and surgeon at the helm,” said Jack Ziffer, PhD, MD, executive vice president, chief clinical officer and physician executive at Baptist Health. “We are entering a new era in robotic medicine, performing more and more complex cases with the assistance of robotic technology.”

The Center for Robotic Surgery at Baptist Health is designated as a Center of Excellence for Robotic Surgery (COERS) by the Clinical Robotic Surgery Association (CRSA) and a Center of Excellence in Minimally Invasive Gynecology (COEMIG) by the American Association of Gynecologic Laparoscopists (AAGL). The center specializes in general, bariatric, oncologic, colorectal, gynecologic, thoracic and urologic surgery, as well as ear, nose and throat surgery.

Dr. Díaz helped pioneer fertility-sparing surgery for cervical cancer and sentinel lymph node mapping for gynecologic malignancies ― both of which are now standards of care.

“Surgical innovation is fundamental to improving patient care,” Dr. Díaz said. “I’m enthusiastic about my new roles because as we explore new technology, devices and techniques, the people of South Florida and beyond benefit from our latest breakthroughs.”

Born and raised in Miami and fully bilingual, Dr. Díaz earned his undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Miami. He completed his obstetrics/gynecology residency at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital and his gynecologic oncology fellowship at Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York, receiving the Department of Surgery Chairman’s Award. He then returned to Miami and served as an attending physician at the University of Miami’s Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

He is an associate professor for the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Florida International University. His research interests include novel surgical techniques for ovarian cancer and innovative cancer therapies, including hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy and immunotherapy. In 2019, Dr. Díaz was awarded a $1.8 million grant to investigate immunotherapy and PARP inhibitors for cervical cancer treatment.

Dr. Díaz’s research has been published in numerous peer-reviewed medical journals, such as Oncology, Gynecologic Oncology, the Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Gynecologic Oncology Reports. He also reviews for Gynecologic Oncology, BioMed Cancer, the International Journal of Gynecologic Oncology and the Annals of Surgical Oncology.