In terms of prevention, the most important and proven tool for the early detection of breast cancer is mammographic screening, aimed at the 45-74 age group: it guarantees overall patient care and safe and effective care pathways . In relation to the press reports spread in recent days on the critical issues relating to the Cup offer of mammograms and the long waiting times for a visit, the Modena Local Health Authority recalls the importance of this path which, in our province, upon a call from the of those entitled to be almost 100%, has a membership of over 73%.
Thanks to the screening program, women within the expected age range can count on a path that guarantees them timely care, both in terms of periodic checks and in case of symptoms, in close interface with the certified Breast Units present in Modena and Carpi.
It is therefore essential that more and more women respond to the invitation within the times established by the program itself.
Outside of the screening process, which guarantees over 70 thousand mammograms annually, a further 10 thousand mammograms were provided in 2023, also including urgent cases which are always insured: requests with priority U (to be provided within 72 hours) are managed via contact directly from the prescribing doctor with the reference radiology, while those with priority B (within 10 days) are managed through the CUP booking system and dedicated availability is monitored daily in order to guarantee continuity of the offer.
There remains a smaller portion of services for which the revision of the provincial paths is underway, also in light of a shortage of professionals in the radiological field, which is why both provincial companies are engaged in the recruitment of radiologist specialists, also through the of an ongoing competition: the identification of dedicated resources will make it possible to strengthen the overall and specific breast offering.