"Mammography screening in Trentino works and breast cancer prevention is one of the priorities for the provincial health system. This is demonstrated by the adherence of Trentino women to the mammography screening proposed through the invitation letter with pre-scheduled appointment: more than 82% of the women summoned respond and carry out the examination, against a national average of 60.7% in 2018-2019 and 51% in 2020. This is thanks to the commitment and dedication of our health workers, who were able to overcome the difficult period of Covid, which brought screening to its knees in many regions of Italy, and who have earned the trust of women. This is how provincial councillor for health Stefania Segnana responds to negative comments on the recently introduced extension of the call for mammography screening for the 45-49 and 70-74 age groups, which would create waits of years to be included in the prevention programmes.
"Let us first of all make it clear that the increase in the offer of organised screening absolutely does not 'crash the system' and does not lengthen waiting lists, simply because waiting lists are not generated with screening," the councillor further explains. "The performance and technologies used in provincial mammography screening are at the highest level in the nation. At the moment, after dealing with the obstacles and difficulties of the recent pandemic, the resources are sufficient to increase the active offer starting with the 70-74 age group. The new age groups are included in screening taking into account that mammography is recommended every two years. Therefore, women aged 70-74 must be invited in two years and not just in one; and they must be invited as a priority, because while women aged 70-74 'leave' screening, women aged 45-49 'enter' organised screening as they enter their 50s. Obviously, in the spirit of efficient use of public health system resources, resources and personnel are calibrated on the basis of the planned activity. It is reasonable, therefore, that when the activity of a public service is expected to increase, resources and personnel are adjusted to the new needs. In Trentino, for women aged 40-49 and 70-74 it is still possible to have a mammogram even in the absence of a clinical indication. All they need is a prescription from the general practitioner'.
Publication date: 09/07/2022
