It is the family doctor who decides when a woman needs a breast cancer screening test that is covered by the common mandatory health insurance program. In a response to an inquiry made by IPN News Agency, the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection said the family doctor mandatorily examines clinically the mammary glands of women and girls aged 18 and over and decides which of them should have a mammogram.
The screening tests can detect any lump in the mammary gland or deviations as regards the form of the mammary gland, architectonics of the subcutaneous tissue, positon of the nipple, etc.
October is the International Breast Cancer Awareness Month and different related activities are performed this month. During October 8-12, women can have free consultations with mammologists at the health centers in the municipalities of Bălți, Comrat and Cahul, while during October 15-19 at the five Local Medical Associations of Chisinau. Consultations will be offered between 9am and 2pm. There is no need to schedule an appointment beforehand.
The number of women who develop breast cancer in Moldova has increased. About 1,000 new cases of breast cancer are recorded annually. About 10% of the women lose the battle with the disease during the first year of the detection, with late detection being the main cause.
The average age of the persons who develop breast cancer is 50 years. A number of 1,013 women were diagnosed with breast cancer in Moldova in 2015, 1,170 in 2016 and 1,118 in 2017.
