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Basque Health Service Lowers Breast Cancer Screening Start Age to 48 Next Year

Leaders frame the shift as a prevention priority, citing high uptake alongside improved five‑year survival.

Overview

  • Invitations will extend to all women aged 48 to 69 beginning next year through Osakidetza’s population screening program.
  • Lehendakari Imanol Pradales announced the policy on Tuesday in Donostia.
  • The program previously began at age 50 for women without a family history of breast cancer.
  • Officials report participation of roughly 80% in the target group with five‑year survival at 88%.
  • Some medical experts advocate starting screening at 45, a benchmark the new policy does not adopt.