From 2027, breast cancer screening in the Canary Islands will expand to include women aged 49 and 70, adding around 146,000 more participants to the public health programme. This initiative, managed by the Canary Health Service, will gradually cover women from ages 45 to 74 over six years, building on the current focus on those aged 50 to 69.
During 2025, the screening programme conducted 120,736 mammograms, leading to 3,806 women being referred to hospitals for further tests, resulting in the detection of 634 cancers. These figures illustrate the value of early diagnosis in improving treatment outcomes.
The expansion aligns with new national health guidelines allowing screenings for women aged 45 to 74 instead of the previous 50 to 69. The Health Ministry has given regions six years to adjust their resources and diagnostic capabilities for the larger population. In the Canary Islands, implementation will start with women turning 49 and 70 in 2027, before gradually including younger age cohorts.
Currently, the programme serves over 367,000 women, and the planned inclusion of additional participants will significantly increase access to vital screenings. This expansion requires enhanced capacity for conducting more tests and promptly following up on any concerning findings.
Early detection can lead to less aggressive treatments and better survival rates, which are around 90% at five years, although individual outcomes vary based on tumour type and stage.
The programme offers personalised appointments and schedules mammograms every two years, with two radiologists reviewing results to minimise errors. Women needing additional tests are referred to appropriate hospitals, supported by on-site centres and a mobile unit for remote areas.
To support this expansion, the Health Department has secured funding of over €2.8 million to acquire and install ten digital mammography machines in major islands. These advanced technologies will enhance diagnostic accuracy and treatment evaluations.
Importantly, while the age range for screening is broadening, women experiencing symptoms should still consult healthcare professionals, regardless of their age group. The early detection programme is tailored for specific demographics and is not a substitute for personalised medical assessments.
As the 2027 rollout approaches, the Canary Islands aim to integrate thousands of women into a preventative framework that successfully identified 634 tumours in the last reporting year. The challenge will be to turn this increased coverage into effective healthcare, ensuring timely appointments, swift tests, and adequate hospital resources for follow-up care.
