SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE 18 Oct. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Health Department of the Government of the Canary Islands, through the General Directorate of Assistance Programmes of the Canary Islands Health Service (SCS), conducted a total of 115,877 mammograms last year for women aged between 50 and 69, resulting in 3,683 patients being referred to hospital facilities and the detection of 630 cancers.
In honour of ‘World Breast Cancer Day’ celebrated on October 19, the autonomous department reminds the female population of the archipelago about the significance of regular check-ups to enhance early diagnosis of this condition and improve survival rates.
The Ministry offers the Breast Cancer Early Diagnosis Programme, aimed at 329,533 women aged 50 to 69 living on the islands. The coverage is 100% throughout the autonomous community, with around 65 percent participation from the specified demographic.
Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, and the prognosis primarily depends on the disease’s stage at the time of detection. Therefore, early diagnosis is crucial for improving cure prospects.
Numerous studies indicate that timely detection can reduce breast cancer mortality among women by approximately 30% compared to those who do not undergo screening, as highlighted by the Ministry in a statement.
EARLY DIAGNOSIS
The programme comprises ten permanent units and one mobile unit which travels across the Canary Islands to provide services in remote areas, aiming to enhance accessibility for the population and promote early detection, ultimately aiding in reducing breast cancer mortality.
It is a demographic-based initiative where all women registered in various municipalities receive a personalised letter.
This letter states the date and time for the mammogram appointment. The examination is conducted every two years, and to minimise potential errors in interpreting the mammograms, each image is assessed by two separate radiologists.
HIGH TECH DIGITAL EQUIPMENT
The breast cancer early diagnosis programme is equipped with digital radiological equipment for mammograms, available in both fixed and mobile units.
Specifically, this advanced technology allows for higher quality images and improved adjustability during reporting, thus decreasing the need for additional projections that are often necessary to confirm a diagnosis.
Furthermore, the software integrated into the system provides radiologists with support in reading, offering increased confidence in the generated reports.
In this regard, digital mammography enhances the speed and reliability of diagnoses, while centralised data storage enables easier long-distance consultations with other specialists in mammography, and decreases the number of necessary follow-up appointments, among other benefits.
Thanks to early diagnosis and advancements in oncology treatment, there has been a reduction in mortality rates from this cancer in recent years, with a current five-year survival rate reaching 90%.
ONCOLOGICAL ADVANCES
The Canarian Health Service has made several improvements in recent years, such as the introduction of ferromagnetic seeds for breast cancer.
A ferromagnetic seed is a tiny piece of millimetric stainless steel that is inserted into the affected breast tissue using small needles similar to those employed in biopsies.
These seeds are safe and can remain in the patient’s body indefinitely.
The Ministry also notes that, previously, oncological drugs were administered via a reservoir or Port-a-cath, providing straightforward access to the venous system, but now a PICC Port is being used, which is easier to place at the arm level, allowing for the insertion of more ports with greater ease.
ADVANCES IN SYSTEMIC TREATMENT
During this period, the treatments involving immunotherapy and targeted therapies, whether used alone or in conjunction with chemotherapy, have been further encouraged.
For instance, the application of immunotherapy for various tumours has been solidified, leading to durable responses in some cases, thereby increasing survival rates, with drugs such as Atezolizumab and others like olaparib for compassionate use.
In relation to radiotherapy, advancements are focused on the ‘Fast forward’ treatment for breast cancer, which reduces the duration of treatment from 15 days to just 5. This minimises the number of visits to the hospital, improving overall care and treatment.
Additionally, IORT (intraoperative radiotherapy) and accelerated partial irradiation have been implemented, allowing for the total irradiation dose to be administered in just a week, as the daily dose can be increased by reducing the treated volume.
Moreover, two radiation oncology units have been established on non-capital islands to enhance patient access to treatments.