A mass mammography screening campaign begins in Upala Canton, Alajuela Province. The goal is to perform 1,500 mammograms through July 14, according to Social Security.

The mass medical campaign has two phases. The first is currently set from now until May 19 at the local community clinic, known as Ebais in San José District. The second phase from May 30 to July 14 will take place at the Ebais in downtown Upala.

Mammograms are offered to women over 45 years of age, as part of the campaign for the early detection of breast cancer.

  

Women interested in undergoing the exam must request a medical appointment at one of the two previously mentioned community clinics, or at the Upala Community Development Association.

This is an opportunity for women in the community to get tested without having to travel 64 miles to the Enrique Baltodano Hospital in Liberia Canton, Guanacaste Province. This is the nearest public medical center that is performing mammograms.

According to Social Security statistics, Costa Rica registers an 87% survival rate for breast cancer. Achieving high levels of cancer survival similar to developed countries such as the United States (90%) or Canada (88%).

One in 19 women will have cancer and one in 77 women will die from this disease. Cancer increased the impact of disease by 24% from 2000 to 2017 and by 14% in mortality from 2000 to 2015, authorities said.

In 2018, authorities reported 335 women died due to breast cancer, of these 304 (91%) were patients over 45 years old.

This mammograms campaign is one of many massive medical services recently launched by Social Security.  Last week, the public hospital in Golfito Canton began its knee replacement surgery campaign.

Also, the Alajuela Hospital started its campaign to advance medical appointments for diagnostic tests.

The Puntarenas Hospital launched its campaigns to attend to 1,500 patients as well.

Social Security reported an increase in the scheduling of surgeries throughout the country due to the decrease in attention to covid cases, allowing a gradual recovery in the supply of public medical services.

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