Madrid, November 13 – The Community of Madrid has agreed to hand over its cancer screening data for breast, colorectal, and cervical cancer. This decision follows a consensus reached between the Ministry of Health and the autonomous communities to define three basic indicators and ensure the data is not used for political purposes.
Agreement Reached at Interterritorial Council
Fátima Matute, the Madrid regional Minister of Health, lauded the agreement achieved during the plenary session of the Interterritorial Council of the National Health System (CISNS). It was decided that technical experts and directors-general of Public Health would meet this Thursday to agree on three main indicators: detection rate, coverage, and participation.
“We want to assure the public that screenings are a solid tool, established in Spain for a long time,” Matute emphasized, noting that breast cancer screening has been ongoing in Madrid for 25 years.
Avoiding Political Agitation and Distrust
Matute also welcomed the Ministry’s commitment, led by Mónica García, “not to participate in the media circus” which, she claimed, has generated unnecessary fear among the population.
The Minister highlighted the importance of “talking more about health than illness,” focusing efforts on new screenings, such as for lung cancer, which is currently under evaluation by the Ministry.
“Benefiting our greatest treasure, which is healthcare, involves seeking consensus, applying methodology, and improving with real data,” she summarized.
PP Communities Agree to Collaborate
For her part, Minister Mónica García confirmed that the communities governed by the Popular Party (PP), including Madrid, have reconsidered and agreed to provide data from their screening programs.
“I welcome their decision to collaborate to restore public confidence, which was concerned about the negligence that occurred in Andalusia,” García stated after the meeting.
The Madrid regional Ministry insisted that the data would be shared once the three common indicators are defined, stressing that the Community has never withheld information, as the data “is public and available in the Sermas Report.”
