Gender Disparities in Oncology: A Report From Four Countries in Latin America
Journal
JCO Global Oncology
ISSN
2687-8941
Date Issued
2025-06
Author(s)
Julia Ismael
Paola Montenegro
Regina Barragan-Carrillo
Jazmín Hernández-Marín
Edith A. Fernández-Figueroa
Jesús Argueta-Donohué
Erika Ruiz-Garcia
Type
journal-article
Abstract
PURPOSE Women represent a growing force in oncology but remain underrepresented in
high-level positions. Gender-related challenges affect academic progression,
research, and clinical practice. This manuscript aims to describes gender-based
professional development challenges faced by women in oncology in Latin
America (LATAM).
MATERIALS
AND METHODS
We conducted a multicenter, cross-sectional study among LATAM oncologists
using a 27-item questionnaire on the basis of the European Society for Medical
Oncology Women for Oncology Survey. Our analysis focused on male-female
disparities, excluding other gender identities. Logistic regression models were
used to calculated odds ratios (ORs) for gender inequity, wage disparity,
workplace and sexual harassment, and family development. Statistical analyses
were performed using SPSS version 26, with the significance set at P < .05.
RESULTS We analyzed 254 participants from Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Peru, mostly
females (88%) and based in Mexico (55%). Most were attending physicians
(68%), 51.5% worked 41-60 hours, and 33.4% reported gender equity initiatives. Gender inequity was significantly higher among women (83%) than
among men (37%), with the female gender identified as a risk factor (OR, 15.67;
P < .001). Workplace harassment was reported by 60% of women and 19% of
men, whereas sexual harassment was experienced by 34% of women and 16% of
men (OR, 2.78; P < .05). Sixty-five percent reported that men had the highest
salaries. Logistic regression indicated that working 20-40 hours per week was
associated with the likelihood of women having children (OR, 3.0; P < .01), as
was working 41-60 hours (OR, 1.97; P < .01). However, holding an attending or
resident position was associated with significantly lower childbearing rates
CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that Women oncologists in LATAM report experiencing
higher rates of gender-based inequity and harassment and remain underrepresented in leadership and high-earning roles.
high-level positions. Gender-related challenges affect academic progression,
research, and clinical practice. This manuscript aims to describes gender-based
professional development challenges faced by women in oncology in Latin
America (LATAM).
MATERIALS
AND METHODS
We conducted a multicenter, cross-sectional study among LATAM oncologists
using a 27-item questionnaire on the basis of the European Society for Medical
Oncology Women for Oncology Survey. Our analysis focused on male-female
disparities, excluding other gender identities. Logistic regression models were
used to calculated odds ratios (ORs) for gender inequity, wage disparity,
workplace and sexual harassment, and family development. Statistical analyses
were performed using SPSS version 26, with the significance set at P < .05.
RESULTS We analyzed 254 participants from Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Peru, mostly
females (88%) and based in Mexico (55%). Most were attending physicians
(68%), 51.5% worked 41-60 hours, and 33.4% reported gender equity initiatives. Gender inequity was significantly higher among women (83%) than
among men (37%), with the female gender identified as a risk factor (OR, 15.67;
P < .001). Workplace harassment was reported by 60% of women and 19% of
men, whereas sexual harassment was experienced by 34% of women and 16% of
men (OR, 2.78; P < .05). Sixty-five percent reported that men had the highest
salaries. Logistic regression indicated that working 20-40 hours per week was
associated with the likelihood of women having children (OR, 3.0; P < .01), as
was working 41-60 hours (OR, 1.97; P < .01). However, holding an attending or
resident position was associated with significantly lower childbearing rates
CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that Women oncologists in LATAM report experiencing
higher rates of gender-based inequity and harassment and remain underrepresented in leadership and high-earning roles.
Subjects
emergency-medicine
;
number-metoo
;
experiences
;
faculty