Coverage of mammograms in MT is below ideal

A recent study revealed that only 21% of women between 50 and 69 years old in Mato Grosso (MT) received mammograms for breast cancer screening between 2021 and 2022, well below the 70% recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO). The data, coming from the Breast Cancer Panorama, conducted by the Avon Institute in partnership with the Oncology Observatory, were obtained from information from DATASUS, the Information Technology Department of the Unified Health System (SUS).

Even with the result lower than desired, Mato Grosso was still the state with the greatest reach in the Central-West. Even with an increase of 2.8% in relation to the period from 2015 to 2016, the region was the second region with the worst indicators in Brazil in relation to mammograms, with the Federal District tied with Roraima with the lowest coverage (5% ), followed by Mato Grosso do Sul (11.2%) and Goiás (13.5%).

“Data like these are crucial to guide investments in the public health network in the states, aiming to expand and improve care for women, in addition to increasing awareness about breast health and the importance of early detection of the disease”, explains Daniela Grelin , executive director of the Avon Institute.

The study also revealed that between 2015 and 2022, the Central-West had the second lowest number of new cases of breast cancer in the country, corresponding to around 6.2% of the national total, behind only the North region (4. 1%). However, the region faces challenges, such as the time between diagnosis and the start of treatment, which still exceeds that recommended by Brazilian legislation.

The study also highlights how the covid-19 pandemic also had a significant impact on the performance of mammography exams in the Central-West region. In 2020, there was a drop of 45.1% compared to 2019, with Mato Grosso being the most affected state, with a reduction of 49.2%. However, in 2022, the region showed a recovery rate of 27.3%, the highest in the country.

About the study

To carry out the study, public information from health systems was used, such as DATASUS and the National Cancer Institute (INCA). The Breast Cancer Panorama platform, launched in 2022, now has updated data and greater functionality, being fed annually with new information from the Ministry of Health.