To mark the International Day Against Breast Cancer, regional health minister Patricia Gómez today visited information stands at Son Espases Hospital, which had been installed to help to raise awareness of the need for early diagnosis of the disease.
Gómez said that breast cancer is a priority issue for the health ministry, noting that one in ten women develop it. She pointed to the role of the Balearic early detection programme. Through this, women between the ages of 50 and 69 can be screened every two years. The minister added that the programme is being strengthened in order that there is greater coverage for screening in different parts of Majorca.
In 2015, almost 35,000 women were entitled to be screened, of which 70% were screened. Only 3.6% of these women needed to have further tests. Between January and September this year, the number of screenings was well over 33,000 and represented an increase of more than 13%. Around a half of these mammograms were at either Son Espases or Son Llàtzer. Manacor and Inca hospitals took care of almost 9,000 between them.
Letters are sent to women advising them that screening is available and providing a date for it to be done. If letters are not received, contact can be made by phoning 971 212 110 or via the website www.cancerdemama.caib.es.