The Breast Unit of the Arnau de Vilanova hospital diagnosed 369 new cases of breast cancer last year, 24% more than the 298 registered in 2024. The increase was concentrated mainly in younger patients, at a time when the public system has just expanded population screening.
The data that deviates most from the previous pattern appears in women under 50 years of age. In that group, there were 113 diagnoses, 30.6% of the total, after a 57% increase in a single year, while the common portfolio of services previously maintained biennial mammography for women aged 50 to 69.
Women under 50 accounted for 113 diagnoses after a 57% increase
Within that group, the Arnau de Vilanova detected 37 tumors in women aged 45 to 49. The figure represents 10% of the total cases diagnosed in the unit and represents a 42% increase compared to the previous year.
In patients between 51 and 70 years old, the hospital registered 168 cases, 33% more. In contrast, among those over 71 years old, there were 88 diagnoses, with a 12% decrease.
The age distribution shows an unequal distribution of the annual increase. While cases are increasing in the 45 to 49 and 51 to 70 age groups, the older group is reducing its volume of diagnoses compared to 2024.
Health expanded screening to women aged 45 to 74
The Public Health Commission approved the expansion of the National Health System's breast cancer population screening program to include women between 45 and 74 years of age. Until now, the common portfolio of services set a mammography every two years for women aged 50 to 69.
The change incorporates two age groups that were outside the previous coverage. At Arnau de Vilanova, the 45 to 49 age group accounted for 37 tumors last year, while in women aged 70 to 74, diagnoses remained at 23 cases, the same figure as in 2024.
Health maintains that scientific evidence indicates that screening reduces mortality and favors the detection of tumors at earlier stages. The approved expansion extends this program to women aged 45 to 74.