It is a pathology that can be detected early and is treatable, which is why it is essential to attend to it, considered the Minister of Public Health, Daniel Salinas, at the commemoration of the World Day to Fight Breast Cancer, held this Wednesday 19 at the headquarters of the ministry. . He added that 2,000 cases are detected per year and that, compared to the first half of 2020, the average number of deaths in 2022 is stable.
Also participating in the activity were the General Director of Health, Miguel Asqueta; the general director of Coordination of the Ministry of Public Health (MSP), Karina Rando; the director of the National Cancer Control Program, Marisa Fazzino, and other health authorities and leaders.
Salinas stressed that breast cancer is the most frequent in Uruguayan women and as it is a disease that can be cured, prevention is relevant. In this sense, she pointed out that the probability of developing this pathology increases with age. In our country, 78% of cases occur in women over 50 years of age and around 5.5% in those under 40.
For these reasons, he recommended complying with the screening tests that are carried out at 50 and 59 years of age, as well as performing the corresponding mammograms, in order to reduce the probability of contracting this disease. It is estimated that one in 11 could develop this condition at some point in her life.
He also recalled that Decree No. 236/022, of July 2022, included patients who had undergone a mastectomy for breast cancer or risk reduction in the free coverage of expanders and breast prostheses, as well as its replacement when indicated by the treating physician.
In addition, lymphoscintigraphy was approved free of charge for people with an indication for sentinel node study as part of the study, and the treatment of breast cancer and melanoma.
The Secretary of State announced that in December 2022 the new guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of cervical and colon cancers will be published.
Rando, meanwhile, underlined the territorial extension of the aforementioned program and explained that it is carried out through prevention activities, in which physical exercise and healthy eating are emphasized, and early diagnosis, for which mobile mammograms are carried out or transports patients to the National Cancer Institute.
Fazzino urged adopting a healthy diet, maintaining an adequate weight, being physically active and limiting the consumption of alcoholic beverages, as a way to prevent this condition. In addition, he highlighted the importance of knowing each one’s body and identifying changes in the breast or armpit.
