Hospital Comarcal del Noroeste launches breast cancer early detection programme
The new initiative aims to enhance early diagnosis and treatment accessibility for breast cancer
The Hospital Comarcal del Noroeste in Caravaca de la Cruz will launch its Breast Cancer Early Detection Programme this March. To ensure the programme reaches all eligible patients, the hospital will increase its human resources and extend the use of its mammograph to both morning and afternoon hours.
This initiative was a key topic in a coordination meeting attended by the Regional Minister of Health for the Region of Murcia, Juan José Pedreño, and the Mayor of Caravaca de la Cruz, José Francisco García, alongside the management of the Northwest Health Area IV.
Mayor García highlighted the transition of the screening programme from mobile units, previously managed by the Spanish Association Against Cancer, to public health services.
“We appreciate the Ministry of Health’s efforts to make these tests available in our municipality, sparing patients the need to travel to other hospitals,” he stated.
Regional Minister Pedreño revealed plans to conduct more than 5,000 mammograms annually, underlining the significance of early diagnosis in improving survival rates and quality of life. With an 85% survival rate for breast cancer, he emphasised the essential role of preventative screenings in achieving these figures.
The regional breast cancer screening programme targets women aged 45 to 74. The Region of Murcia has led the way in Spain by expanding the screening population in line with European Union recommendations.
Additionally, Pedreño noted the substantial growth in healthcare professionals in the Northwest Health Area over the past five years. Currently, the area employs 1,123 professionals, marking an increase of 231 since 2019.
Among them, 258 are doctors, 42 more than in 2020. Hospital Care now has 858 professionals, 194 more than five years ago, while Primary Care has 265 professionals, 99 of whom are doctors.
Pioneering programme to allow dialysis patients to travel
In a separate development, the Mayor of Caravaca and the Regional Minister of Health visited the dialysis centre in Caravaca de la Cruz, which has introduced a groundbreaking service, ‘d.HOLIDAY’.
This service enables dialysis patients to travel without interrupting their treatment, provided their trips are pre-arranged.
The Diaverum Servicios Renales dialysis centre serves over 50 patients from the northeast of the Region of Murcia. Spanning approximately 1,500 square metres, the centre includes five separate treatment rooms with 25 dialysis stations, accommodating up to 150 patients for both conventional and online haemodialysis treatments.
Diaverum Caravaca is staffed by 14 renal treatment specialists dedicated to delivering high-quality care to its patients. This innovative initiative aims to enhance the wellbeing of those requiring dialysis, offering them greater flexibility and quality of life.
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