The minimum age for breast cancer screening in Portugal is set to drop to 45 years, as announced by the Secretary of State for Health, Ana Povo. This change is pending the publication of the new guidelines from the General Directorate of Health (DGS).
Ana Povo confirmed that the government has engaged with the DGS to extend breast cancer screening to women starting at 45 years old, aligning with European recommendations. She expressed hope that the new guidelines would be published within one to two months, coinciding with World Breast Cancer Day.
From this point forward, all women aged 45 and older will have access to breast cancer screenings. Povo also mentioned the possibility of reaching out to women aged 45 to 50 who may have missed screenings this year.
Highlighting the urgency of this measure, Povo noted that the incidence of breast cancer is increasingly being observed in younger women. She clarified that breast cancer screening is aimed at early diagnosis, rather than prevention, to ensure timely treatment for those diagnosed.
The Ministry of Health is collaborating with the DGS to create a governance model for screenings, aiming for a coverage rate of at least 80% for both oncological and non-oncological diseases.
Currently, the DGS recommends starting screenings at 50 years, but this will be updated to 45 years in compliance with EU guidelines established two years ago, which also call for extending screenings up to 74 years.
On World Breast Cancer Day, Povo reminded that one in eight women is at risk of this disease. She emphasized the importance of awareness, self-examinations, and consulting family doctors for any concerns.
In Portugal, approximately 9,000 new breast cancer cases are detected annually, with over 2,000 fatalities reported, according to the Portuguese League Against Cancer (LPCC). The LPCC has facilitated over 5.3 million mammograms and referred over 30,000 women for diagnosis and treatment since 2022, enabling less aggressive and more effective treatments.
Women in the screening age group, currently 50 to 69 years, are invited via letters to receive a free mammogram at local health centers. Mobile Breast Cancer Screening Units operate every two years in various municipalities, typically stationed near local health centers.
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