OCT. 19, 2022

International Day Against Breast Cancer: The prevention and early detection of this disease is fundamental

  • The message is clear: get a mammogram to detect breast cancer early. It is the leading cause of oncological death in women in Chile. 

  • Remember to periodically carry out a self-examination and be aware of any changes in your breasts, such as lumps, inflammation, irritation, redness, dimpling, pain or discharge from the nipples. 

  • If you are between 50 and 69 years old, you have the right to a free mammogram every three years in a Primary Healthcare Center.

Did you know that breast cancer is the leading cause of oncological death in women in Chile? That is why early detection is fundamental. Mammography is the only screening test available for breast cancer, and has made it possible to improve treatment of the disease through early diagnosis and intervention, therefore reducing mortality. 

We also recommend that you carry out a self-examination once a month, to see if you have experienced any changes in your breasts, such as lumps, visible veins, puckering, skin erosions, dimpling, nipple inversion, unusual discharge, asymmetry, thickening of the tissue, swollen and dimpled skin, redness or burning, or internal lumps. 

Right to a free mammogram 

If you are between 50 and 69 years old, you have the right to a free mammogram every three years to detect breast cancer, in Primary Healthcare Centers. This is included in the Explicit Health Guarantees plan (AUGE or GES); if there are irregularities in your exam, you should be referred to a specialist doctor. 

Furthermore, if you are over 40 years old and have a family history of breast cancer, you can request your exam. 

Work permission for female workers 

If you are employed, you can use your right to half-day paid leave to carry out preventive health exams, such as mammography or Pap smear. This permission can be used at any time; you only have to notify your employer in advance and indicate that you want to use your preventive examination permission, according to Article 66 of the Labor Code. 

▶ Find more information about your rights at the Labor Directorate

How to prevent breast cancer?

Although the appearance of breast cancer may have a genetic or hereditary cause that cannot be controlled, there are other risk factors that can be modified. For example: 

  • Alcohol consumption
  • Overweight and obesity
  • Lack of physical activity 

Therefore, adopting healthy habits is one of the best ways to prevent the disease, even more so when a person has a family history of cancer. 

However, beyond prevention, it is also important to diagnose breast cancer early. In this way, treatment can be received soon enough to improve life expectancy. 

▶ Find more information at the Health Ministry’s Digital Hospital