The Community of Madrid is going to double the preventive mammograms of the breast cancer early detection program (DEPRECAM) at the Ramón y Cajal public University Hospital.
This was announced this Saturday by the Minister of Health, Fátima Matute, during a visit to this center on the occasion of World Day against this disease, The regional government has reported in a statement.
The approximately 6,000 annual tests carried out in this complex, will be increased to 15,000, thanks to the increase in the supply of appointments: 50 more from Monday to Friday and 100 on Saturdays throughout the day.
“It is a commitment to make our Healthcare closer and more accessible. With this measure, We facilitate access at times other than the work day, studies or other activities, that favor the reconciliation of women’s lives with the prevention of the disease,” said Matute.
In 2023, 230,000 examinations of this type, including complementary ones, were carried out throughout the SERMAS healthcare network, more than 15% compared to the previous year. This work improves patient survival, which is 98% in the initial stages of the tumor, while in the most advanced stages it is 24%.
Program in other hospitals
In addition to Ramón y Cajal, there are eight other public hospitals in Madrid that offer this service on weekends: La Princesa, in the capital; the Francisco Díaz Specialty Center, dependent on the Prince of Asturias, in Alcalá de Henares; University of Torrejón; Henares in Coslada; Majadahonda Iron Gate; Infanta Elena in Valdemoro, King Juan Carlos in Móstoles and General de Villalba. All of them will soon be joined by the Clínico San Carlos and 12 de Octubre, also in Madrid.
All diagnostic appointments, managed from the Regional Oncology Coordination Office of the Ministry of Health, are accessible to women from the Virtual Health Card, where The query can be processed directly according to its priority, or from the traditional invitation via postal mail.
The ease of access, the new schedules and days, and awareness about the suitability of undergoing this type of screening have allowed us to increase the number of tests performed and, with it, facilitate diagnosis in initial stages. This reduces mortality between 25% and 31%, according to the latest scientific studies published.
Healthy lifestyle habits reduce the possibility of oncological diseases, like other chronic pathologies, so it is recommended to avoid the consumption of tobacco, alcohol and other toxic substances and a healthy diet that includes cereals, legumes and fruits, limiting high-calorie foods and excess salt. Also monitoring vaccination campaigns, participation in screening programs and protection from the sun and physical activity appropriate to personal circumstances, avoiding a sedentary lifestyle as much as possible.
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