Hundreds of women in Andalusia developed cancer after missed mammogram follow-ups, with three deaths reported in the healthcare system failure.
SEVILLE: Women in southern Spain are demanding justice after a breast cancer screening scandal left hundreds without proper follow-up care in Andalusia’s public health system.
Anabel Cano believed she was cancer-free after her November 2023 mammogram showed no immediate concerns.
The 52-year-old former housekeeper underwent a mastectomy nearly a year later when another test finally detected her cancer.
“Why did they forget me?” Cano questioned, feeling betrayed by the system that failed to provide timely follow-up.
She received initial reassurance that no news within 15 days meant positive results.
Months passed without communication before Cano received another screening invitation.
“If they had done it one year before, perhaps I would not have got to where I am now,” she told AFP.
The Andalusian breast cancer association Amama brought the scandal to public attention in September.
Amama’s lawyer Manuel Jimenez reported at least 230 women developed cancer after missed mammogram follow-ups.
Three deaths have been linked to the screening failures according to the association.
The regional government acknowledges 2,317 women missed follow-up treatments but disputes cancer connections.
Regional authorities insist no cancer cases or deaths have been officially reported from the screening lapses.
Amparo Perez experienced similar neglect within the screening system.
The 56-year-old waited months after her June 2023 test before learning she needed further screening.
Perez underwent a double mastectomy in February 2024 after the delayed diagnosis.
“Perhaps, if they had caught it on time, all that I would have avoided… with this illness, time matters,” said the former hairdresser.
She expressed shock at discovering how many other women shared her experience.
Amama president Angela Claverol attributes the failures to healthcare cuts and mismanagement.
“Omission, negligence or incompetence, it’s the same,” Claverol stated.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez blames healthcare privatisation by the conservative Popular Party.
Patients’ association leader Carmen Flores agrees privatisation efforts undermined public healthcare.
“The worse the public health system works, the better to have an excuse to transfer patients to private healthcare,” Flores said.
Doctors’ union president Rafael Ojeda cited bureaucratic and centralised system problems.
The Andalusian government launched a €12 million emergency plan with additional staff hiring.
Regional health officials have resigned amid the growing scandal.
Public outrage continues with thousands protesting outside government buildings and hospitals.
The prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation into the screening failures.
Amama member Rosario Castro criticised the inadequate official response to affected women.
“How can it be that we are able to take calls as volunteers, while they have not even made a number available?” she asked.
