Brazil undertakes review of breast cancer screening
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Brazil has reported a 73% rise in the number of mammography tests performed annually over the last five years. In 2001, 1.4 million tests were performed, compared with 810,000 in 1997 and 590,000 in 1995. Last year, Brazil spent R$44.54 million ($19.4 million) on mammography screening, compared with R$16.49 million in 1997. The national health service - Sistema Unico de Saude (SUS) - currently operates 792 mammography units in 784 hospitals, compared with 455 units in 1997, and 396 in 1995. During the last three years, the SUS has acquired 93 new mammography units. Brazil's cancer screening and treatment services are also being extended most significantly under an ongoing oncology network development project (see Clinica No 997, p 14).