Ministry of Health now recommends mammograms for people aged 40 and over

The Ministry of Health has begun recommending mammograms through the Unified Health System (SUS) for women aged 40 to 49, even if there are no signs or symptoms of breast cancer. According to the ministry, this age group accounts for 23% of cases of the disease, and early detection increases the chances of a cure.

Until then, the recommendation was that the exam should be taken from the age of 50.

The measure is part of a set of actions announced this Tuesday (23) aimed at improving diagnosis and care. The recommendation for women over 40 is that the exam be done on demand, in a joint decision with the health professional.

"The patient should be advised on the benefits and disadvantages of screening. Women this age had difficulty with the test in the public health system due to family history assessment or the need to already have symptoms," the ministry said in a statement.

Mammograms via the SUS in patients under 50 years old, according to the ministry, represent 30% of the total, equivalent to more than 1 million in 2024 alone.

Active tracking

Another measure announced is the expansion of the age range for active screening—when a mammogram is requested as a preventative measure every two years. The previous age limit was 69. Now, it's 74. Ministry data reveals that almost 60% of breast cancer cases occur between the ages of 50 and 74.

"Expanding access to mammography brings Brazil closer to international practices, such as those adopted in Australia, and reinforces our commitment to ensuring early diagnosis and comprehensive care for Brazilian women. Breast cancer is the most common and the leading cause of death in women, with 37,000 cases per year," the ministry emphasized.

The numbers show that, in 2024, around 4 million screening mammograms and 376.7 thousand diagnostic exams were performed in the SUS.

Health Minister Alexandre Padilha during the announcement of recommendations for mammography in the SUS – Photo: Marcelo Camargo/Agência Brasil

Mobile units

The ministry also announced the provision of 27 women's health trucks in 22 states through the Agora Tem Especialistas program. The initiative aims to expand access to consultations, exams, and surgeries, aiming to reduce wait times for care in the SUS (Unified Health System).

The first tests were carried out in Goiânia. Next month, the trucks will travel to different states across the country. The expectation is to provide up to 120,000 services throughout October, with an investment of R$18 million for the operation.

"The mobile units will offer a wide range of services for the early diagnosis of breast and cervical cancer, including mammography, ultrasound, breast puncture and biopsy, colposcopy, and in-person and telemedicine medical consultations," the ministry reported.

Biopsy

Another initiative is the acquisition of 60 biopsy kits, each with a stereotactic biopsy table in the prone position and specialized X-ray equipment. According to the ministry, the equipment uses 2D and 3D imaging technology, ensuring greater diagnostic accuracy and reducing the need for repeat procedures.

More modern medicines

Starting in October, the Brazilian Unified Health System (SUS) will also make new medications available for the treatment of breast cancer. One of them is trastuzumab emtansine, indicated for women who still show signs of the disease even after the first phase of chemotherapy treatment before surgery.

Another group of medications includes cyclin inhibitors (abemaciclib, palbociclib, and ribociclib), recommended for patients with advanced or metastatic breast cancer – when the disease has already spread to other parts of the body – and who are hormone receptor positive and hormone receptor negative.