The Consejo Interterritorial del Sistema Nacional de Salud approved on 23 October 2026 the extension of population-based mammography screening to women aged 45 to 74. Until now, the programme in Spain has mainly covered women aged 50 to 69. The decision implements a resolution by the Comisión de Salud Pública and follows recommendations from European bodies, including the Council of the European Union.
The proposal centres on adding the 45–49 and 70–74 age groups to the shared service portfolio of the Sistema Nacional de Salud. Mammography will remain the screening method, with a standard interval of two years. During the introductory phase, an interval of up to three years will exceptionally be permitted for the newly included age groups, to allow capacity to be developed in an orderly manner. All Autonomous Communities and the cities of Ceuta and Melilla must begin the extension within three years of its entry into force; within six years, invitations to participate should reach almost 100 per cent of the newly included groups.
According to the Ministry of Health, the decision is based on assessments by the Red de Agencias de Evaluación de Tecnologías Sanitarias. The national requirement gives the regions some flexibility: they can phase in the programme by individual year groups and adapt its organisation to local resources. The Instituto Nacional de Gestión Sanitaria (INGESA) is responsible for coordination in Spain’s enclaves; the civil servants’ insurance schemes must be involved in implementation.
Several regions had already taken steps to expand screening or launched pilot phases in recent months. The draft regulation now approved provides a common framework intended to harmonise the different starting points. Medical associations point to the opportunity to detect tumours earlier in younger and older cohorts. Critics urge ongoing evaluation of the balance between additional benefits and possible overdiagnosis. The Ministry stresses that quality assurance, follow-up of abnormal findings and uniform invitation processes will remain integral parts of the programme.
In practice, the expansion will bring additional requirements for staff, equipment and IT-supported invitation and reminder systems. The regions must increase capacity for imaging and interpreting results, and present transition plans. With the Interterritorial Council’s approval, the formal procedure begins for final adoption and subsequent implementation in regional programmes.
Editor: Phillipe Schmidt-Araguin (Article created with AI assistance).