SPAIN has expanded its national breast cancer screening programme to include women aged between 45 and 74, meaning more than three million extra women will now be offered regular mammograms.
The change, approved by the Public Health Commission, marks one of the biggest updates to Spain’s breast cancer screening programme in decades.
Until now, women aged 50 to 69 were offered a mammogram every two years through Spain’s public health system.
Under the new plan, women aged 45 to 49 and 70 to 74 will also be included, with checks continuing every two years.
Health experts based the decision on scientific evidence showing that early detection can save lives, especially since 10% of breast cancer cases in Spain are diagnosed in women under 50.
By identifying tumours at an earlier, more treatable stage, authorities expect the expanded programme to significantly improve survival rates.
Several regions have already tested the expanded system.
Navarra, Castilla y Leon, La Rioja and Castilla-La Mancha have introduced screenings for women aged 45 to 49, while Galicia has been running checks for women up to 74.
Figures from Navarra showed detection rates among women in their late 40s were similar to those seen in women aged 50 to 54.
Meanwhile, Galicia recorded even higher detection rates in women aged 70 to 74 than in those aged 65 to 69.
READ MORE: Andalucia launches ‘one-stop’ breast cancer testing to fast-track diagnosis across the region
The expansion of the programme will be rolled out gradually to ensure consistent, high-quality implementation across the country.
Regional governments will have a maximum of three years to begin modifying the programme and up to six years to reach almost complete coverage in the new age groups.
The programme is expected to cost around €534 million until 2029, although the final bill may be lower because some regions have already started introducing the new system.
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