Pink October: new mammographs will strengthen early detection of breast cancer in hospitals in the country

Asunción, IP Agency.- The Ministry of Public Health reports that the health system will be strengthened with the installation of 32 new mammography machines in hospitals throughout the country, which will improve the early detection of breast cancer, one of the main causes of death from cancer among women. women.

With this new infrastructure, the health portfolio aims to reduce geographic barriers and improve accessibility to mammographic studies, especially in regions with lower coverage.

The installation of this equipment is already underway and most of them are expected to be operational before 2025, which will increase the number of mammographers in the country from 24 to 56.

Currently, 24 health services in 12 health regions of Paraguay have operational mammography machines, of which 19 offer extended hours during the month of October, to serve both women in the capital and the interior of the country.

The new equipment will be installed in the hospitals of the department of Concepción, in the Horqueta District Hospitals; District of Vallemí and in the Regional of Concepción.

Likewise at the San Pedro Regional Hospital; in the District Hospitals of Arroyos y Esteros and Itacurubí de la Cordillera, department of Cordillera; in the department of Caaguazú, at the Juan Eulogio Estigarribia District Hospital; Caazapá, in the District of San Juan Nepomuceno.

Similarly, at the District Hospital of San Ignacio in the department of Misiones; District of Carapeguá in Paraguarí; as well as in the District Hospitals of Minga Guazú, Presidente Franco and Santa Rita of Upper Paraná; in Central, in the District Hospitals of Loma Pytá, Limpio, Ñemby, Fernando de la Mora and Lambaré, in the Central department.

Additionally, at the M. Riveros Oncological Hospitals (INCAN); Luque Regional; Ciudad MujerItauguá National Hospital.

Also at the Regional Hospital of Pilar in the department of Ñeembucú; •Pedro Juan Caballero Regional Hospital in Amambay; La Paloma Women’s Diagnostic Center, La Paloma Women’s Diagnostic Center and Curuguaty District Hospital in Canindeyú.

Likewise, at the Villa Hayes Regional Hospital; Mariscal Estigarribia Regional Hospital in the department of Boquerón; while in the Capital, in the Tumor Clinic and at the San Pablo Children’s Hospital.

Early detection of breast cancer is key to increasing the chances of successful treatment. The earlier the disease is identified, the higher the chances that the cancer will be treated effectively. In the early stages, breast cancer can be asymptomatic, so regular examinations, such as mammograms, play an important role in identifying possible abnormalities before visible or palpable symptoms develop.

Let’s make prevention a tradition

Within the framework of the “Pink October” campaign, the Ministry of Health intensifies its awareness-raising efforts, with the motto “Let’s make prevention a tradition.”

This campaign not only promotes mammograms, but also breast self-examination as a common practice that can help identify any suspicious changes. Self-examination is especially important in women under 40 years of age, since, although the risk is lower in this age group, 10% of breast cancer cases occur in young women.

The “Pink October” campaign not only seeks to raise awareness about breast cancer prevention, but also to ensure that every woman in Paraguay has access to a timely diagnosis.