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Madrid working to expand breast screening age range
Madrid's screening programme detected 1,928 suspected malignancies in 2025. The health department is working to extend the programme to women aged 45 to 74. Participation can also be managed online or by phone. The change is still being prepared.
In 2025, regional screening detected 1,928 suspected malignancies, 1.68% of the women examined.
The results were presented on the eve of the Día Mundial against Cáncer de Mama, which takes place this Monday. The Comunidad de Madrid is working to expand DEPRECAM, which currently offers mammograms every two years to women aged 50 to 69 who are in good health and have no symptoms, to cover those aged 45 to 74.
Fátima Matute shared the data during a visit to the Unidad de Mama del Hospital público Universitario 12 de Octubre.
The councillor linked the annual increase in survival rates in the region to greater participation of women in the tests. The regional government attributes the results to the work of the different levels of care: from reminders at health centres by doctors or nursing professionals to the performance and reading of tests in public hospitals.
The oncology coordination services invite women to take part. Up to 30% of users have organised their appointment themselves and chosen the date and time. This can be done through the specific Tarjeta Sanitaria Virtual app or the website. The phone number 900 102 112 is also available.
The Unidad de Mama del Hospital público Universitario 12 de Octubre has four mammography machines with 2D and 3D imaging, including the contrast-enhanced modality. It has four state-of-the-art ultrasound machines optimised for breast imaging and an automatic 3D ultrasound machine. There are also prone and automated biopsy systems, as well as MRI with dedicated coils and sequences. Eight professionals are responsible for operating these machines.