In 2018, the percentage of women aged 50-69 who were screened for breast cancer (using mammography) in the previous two years differed significantly between Member States, according to data released today by Eurostat, the statistical service of the EU.
Based on screening programs, seven Member States had screening rates for breast cancer below 50%. The lowest rates were recorded in Bulgaria (21% of women aged 50-69, data 2017), Slovakia (30%) and Cyprus (33%).
In contrast, three Member States reported breast cancer screening rates of over 75%: Finland (84%), Denmark (83%) and the Netherlands (77%).
Compared to 2013, breast cancer screening rates increased between 2013 and 2018 by almost half (9) of the 20 EU Member States for which data are available. The largest increases were recorded in Lithuania (+11,6 percentage points), Latvia (+7,9) and Malta (+7,1).
In the 11 Member States where screening rates decreased, the reductions were usually relatively small, with the most notable reductions in Slovenia (-8,3) and Germany (-7,2 between 2013 and 2017).
Source: KYPE