Mammogram procedure: costs, coverage & prevention

Breast cancer, called cáncer de mama in Spanish, is the most common cancer among women, with an estimated 1 in 8 women developing it in her lifetime. Breast cancer can also affect men (the World Health Organization reports about 0.5-1.0% of all breast cancers), as it’s a cancer that originates in the breast tissue.

That said, survival rates of breast cancer are optimistic – it’s close to 90%. So, while it is considered the world’s most prevalent cancer, it is also one of the most treatable. The key is early detection, typically via a mammogram procedure.

While changes in breast tissue, changes in breast skin or nipples or other symptoms could trigger your need to consider medical opinion, women over age 40 should get regular mammograms as part of preventative care for cáncer de mama.

What is a mammogram procedure?

At its most basic, a mammogram is an X-ray of your breast tissue that helps detect the early stages of cancerous growths – sometimes up to three years before a mass can be felt. And with the advent of artificial intelligence in our everyday lives, researchers are using AI algorithms and contextual data to analyze breast tissue and more accurately predict a person’s risk of developing breast cancer.

When should I get a mammogram procedure?

Breast cancer occurs in every country and across every demographic; the WHO reports that around half of all breast cancers occur with only two identifiable traits in consideration: females over 40. Other factors are increasing age, obesity, family history and other environmental factors, like alcohol use or exposure to radiation. 

Both the American Cancer Society and the Center for Disease Control urge women between 45 and 54 to attend yearly screenings; before this date, you should consult your doctor about risk factors and whether or not you should undergo a mammogram procedure.

Currently, the Spanish Ministry of Health recommends a mammogram every two years from age 50 if you do not present any risk factors or are not experiencing symptoms compatible with breast cancer.

Doctors also suggest performing a monthly breast self-exam to detect any new changes, lumps or other unusual signs in your breast. As early detection is a major factor in survival, report anything concerning to your general practitioner immediately – do not wait until your next screening.

What can I expect when having a mammogram?

Standing in front of a machine, a technologist will help you place each breast on a plastic plate, and another will press down firmly from above while the picture is taken. This will be repeated on the side of the breast. Then, you will have the other breast studied – it’s a ten-minute procedure at its maximum, and very few people report experiencing discomfort.

Doctors suggest that women not undergo a mammogram during their menstrual period or the week before due to sensitivity of breast tissue.

Your results will not come back for around one month. If you have a normal mammogram, continue to get the procedure done with the frequency that your health care provider recommends. 

If your mammogram comes back abnormal, don’t panic just yet. Your healthcare provider may ask for additional tests as soon as possible, such as a diagnostic mammogram or breast ultrasound. In many cases, your breast tissue is normal and not cancerous; if your doctor suspects something more serious, you may be called in for a breast MRI.

Social Security costs for a mammogram procedure

If you have public Spanish healthcare and are a woman, you will be called in for a mamografía, also called a cribado de cáncer de mama or detección precoz de cáncer de mama, from about age 50.

Should you be under 35, you may come up against some resistance for requesting a mammogram. When there is a family history or the precedence of the BRCA gene, be upfront with your doctor about testing. Between 35 and 49, you should ask your practitioner.

Bi-yearly mammograms are free of charge if you are prescribed to social security in Spain. You will receive an appointment date and time, as well as a location. Typically, you will be asked to go to the hospital that covers your address. Remember to bring photo ID, and refrain from wearing perfumes or lotions that could distort your mammogram readings.

Caser insurance costs for a mammogram procedure

Many private insurance providers will provide a reduced cost option for a mammogram, often at the co-pay level. If you’re with Caser Expat Insurance, first ask for an appointment with your GP, who will prescribe you a mammogram. Within the online medical guide, you can check for professionals and centers that perform mammograms by selecting your province and “mammogram”, then click “Search”. 

If you are in Madrid, Caser Expat Insurance has paired with Magnetosur, a leader in magnetic diagnostic testing for a wide range of illnesses, including the Digital 3Dimensions mammogram. This state-of-the-art machine is faster, more precise and more comfortable; note that you may need prior authorization for this exam, and you must bring the medical slip, signed by your GP, requesting a mammogram.

If diagnosed with breast cancer, remember that Caser Expat Insurance plans have a qualifying period of six months. This means that you cannot access oncological treatments until you have been with the insurer for at least half a year; again, prevention is key.

Are you concerned about the BRCA gene? If you have family history of breast cancer, you should consider a genetic exam to determine your risk of developing breast cancer. Caser Expat Insurance offers both a blood draw genetic test of the BRCA proteins, as well as a more extensive study of 22 genes. You can read more about both, in Spanish, at this link. 

Don’t forget that all Caser Expat Insurance plans come with telehealth possibilities so that you can speak to your doctor about your concerns without having to go to a clinic. That said, breast cancer screening should absolutely be done in person.

Breast cancer in Spain

Like many other developed countries, breast cancer is prevalent in Spain. The Sociedad Española de Oncología Médica reported that more than 35,000 new cases were diagnosed in 2022, the lion’s share of which belonged to females over the age of 50 – that’s just under 100 every day. Thankfully, hospitals are equipped to detect, diagnose and treat this type of cancer.

Breast Cancer in the future

In 2020, 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer were reports, with the lion’s share of the 685,000 deaths happening in countries in transition or developing; in 2040, the WHO estimates that there will be a 40% increase of new diagnoses to 3 million annually. With large leaps in research, screening and detection, the WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer is hoping to flatten the curve in developing countries where diagnostic testing is not widespread.

Current research is delving into next-generation genome sequencing to determine unique therapy for each patient, developing more advanced drugs, employing big data to predict patterns in diagnosis and treatment and even futuristic treatments known as mammary ductoscopy, where breast milk ducts can be inspected. 

What can you do? Monthly breast exams and mammograms are the best way to improve your chances of surviving breast cancer. Speak to your doctor as you approach 40, live a healthy lifestyle and practice preventative care.