Starting November 1, 2023, more women qualify for free cancer prevention programs. Women aged 45-74 can get free mammograms, and those aged 25-64 can get free cytological tests. From January 1, 2024, breast cancer survivors can rejoin the program annually for five years post-treatment.
The Ministry of Health underscores that prevention remains the most effective strategy in the fight against cancer. Detecting breast cancer at an early stage significantly increases the chances of recovery. Under the cancer prevention program, free mammography tests are available every two years to eligible women.
Starting from January 1, 2024, women who have previously been diagnosed with breast cancer will have the opportunity to rejoin the program annually. Eligibility for re-entry includes women who have:
- Completed their treatment and a 5-year monitoring period, or
- Are undergoing adjuvant hormone therapy five years after surgical treatment for breast cancer.
Additionally, the program includes cytological tests to prevent and detect cervical cancer. These tests will be conducted under the following conditions:
- Every 3 years for women without risk factors, and
- Annually for women with elevated risk, including those who are:
- Infected with HIV,
- Taking immunosuppressive drugs, or
- Infected with high-risk HPV strains.
It is important to note that early-stage cervical cancer is curable in over 99% of cases. These updates aim to enhance the availability and effectiveness of early diagnostic services for women at risk.
