Estonia expands breast cancer screening to women from age 40

Estonia is extending breast cancer screening to women from the age of 40, ERR reports. Nearly 10,000 women turning 40 this year are due to be invited for screening based on their genetic risk, with those assessed as higher risk referred directly for mammography.

The first 1,250 women have already received invitations through the health portal. To take part, they must first sign a consent form allowing their genetic data to be used.

Ingrid Kuusik, one of the first women to give consent, said the screening offered an opportunity to make informed choices about her health. She said women could provide a blood sample to find out their risk.

The Estonian Health Insurance Fund estimates that up to 15% of the target group may have a moderately elevated risk. Tiina Kahre, head of the laboratory genetics department at Tartu University Hospital, said an elevated risk did not mean a woman would develop breast cancer, but would allow doctors to monitor her.

Cancers in younger people tend to be more aggressive, the article reports. Women with higher risk scores will be referred for mammography. Oncologist Vahur Valvere said more breast cancers were being detected at stage one, before the disease had spread to the lymph nodes in the armpits, when women could be treated completely.

The screening is free. Testing the first two age groups will cost the Health Insurance Fund about 1.9 million euros. The plan is to extend the programme next year to women born in 1987 and then add another age group each year.

The risk model may eventually include inherited gene mutations and lifestyle indicators. The first screening results are expected within a couple of months.