The Minister of Health and Consumption of the Junta de Andalucía, Catalina García, announced on Tuesday the extension of the breast cancer screening to five new age groups: 47, 48, 49, 70 and 71, as part of the Andalusian government’s commitment to extend these tests from 40 to 75 years.
“In this way – he said – Andalusia basically promotes one of the leading programs in cancer prevention. We have an obligation to put all the means to stop the incidence of this disease”, he stressed during the presentation of the campaign in Seville. against breast cancer of the Spanish Cancer Association, on the occasion of the World Day this October 19.
The breast cancer early diagnosis program consists of performing mammograms every two years on the entire female population between 50 and 69 years of age residing in Andalusia. In this sense, with the incorporation of these new age groups, which will take place in the second quarter of 2023, the target population will be between 47 and 71 years old.
These five new age groups comprise a population of 301,300 women, who will be able to access these tests for free. This expansion involves an investment of 11 million euros per year, including mammograms in health centers and mobile units. “It is a challenge, but we believe it is necessary and vital, and for which we will be prepared”, said Catalina García, who stressed that the goal of the Andalusian government is “to continue expanding these groups during the legislature up to reach the population aged 40 to 75 “.
“Today, tomorrow, every day we must remind the population of the importance of prevention, the tireless fight against the disease and, fundamentally, that it is supporting research to find the definitive cure for cancer,” he said.
In line with the latter, the Minister of Health and Consumption stressed that approximately 4,900 new cases of breast cancer, the most common cancer in women in all Western countries. In this sense, the early diagnosis through the execution of mammograms allows to improve the prognosis of the disease and to apply less aggressive treatments to the affected women, thanks to a global and individualized approach by the teams of professionals who treat this disease.
Specifically, currently over 70% of women who underwent surgery to remove the tumor were able to preserve their breastswhile when the Early Diagnosis Program began, conservative surgery was performed in only 20% of cases.
In this regard, he reported that in 2021 almost 333,000 Andalusian women participated in this program, which made it possible to detect 680 tumors at an early stage of the disease. The participation rate is around 76% of the total number of women cited.
through the Early detection program, the women are summoned through a letter that they receive at home to go to a special Mammographic Examination Unit where two breast plates are made. Of the 330,000 women who participated last year, approximately 20,600 were referred to the referral hospital to complete the diagnostic study.
“Look how important it is. This is why I ask all Andalusian women from here: if they receive the letter to have a mammogram, to go. Don’t think about it, don’t throw the letter away or leave it forgotten in a drawer. That letter can save their lives, “she added.
Cancer strategy in Andalusia
On the other hand, Catalina García stressed that the Cancer Strategy in Andalusia constitutes a resounding commitment to improve the cancer situation in the community. This Strategy supports a comprehensive approach to the disease which, among other aspects, gives priority attention to early diagnosis and the reduction of waiting times to know the results of diagnostic procedures.
Alongside prevention, the promotion of healthy lifestyle habits, the commitment to improve vaccination and the improvement of screening programs, there is a clear approach to improve the connection between Primary and Hospital Care, building an active culture of training. professional, research for the fight against the disease and its repercussions, and the integration of technologies with sustainability criteria to improve the health of the population, and so that, in the event of any danger signal described, they receive the care they need everytime
Cutting-edge research and technology
In this order of ideas, Catalina García assessed the Andalusian government’s commitment to health research and cutting-edge technology embedded in the autonomous community’s public health system.
In this regard, he ensured that 1,893 new clinical trials were launched between 2019 and 2021 within the Andalusian public health system in the fields of oncology, hematology or neurology, among others; with a turnover of 73.7 million euros. The research in Oncology stands out, since currently three out of ten studies carried out address this health problem.
“Medical oncology is an area that bothers and occupies us. And I want to emphasize that today, and before, because in the face of this disease there has never been any delay, patient care is fast and, fortunately, in most cases accurate. We know the risk that this disease entails, so we give absolute priority to these patients, ”she indicated.
In connection with this, he evaluated the incorporation of state-of-the-art equipment throughout Andalusia for the detection and treatment of cancer patients. In total, almost 25 million euros were invested in 15 teams. “Technological renewal enabling the integration of state-of-the-art equipment with image-guided radiotherapy capabilities, including two ultrasound-guided, intensity-modulated devices,” she concluded.
