In Uruguay working women aged 50-69* are compelled by law to undergo mammography screening for breast cancer every 2 years.
Without it they can’t get a health card that gives them many of their basic human rights – to work, hold a driver’s licence, study at university, and even to join a gym. As far as we know, it’s the only country in the world where this type of screening test is mandatory. Find out more in this recent article in Scientific American and in the BMJ, here.
Screening for breast cancer has questionable benefits and considerable harms. HealthWatch believes it is unethical to impose screening without the woman’s informed consent. A petition calling for an end to mandatory screening is available (to translate the Spanish text to English use Google Chrome browser and right click on the text).
*the age range has changed in recent weeks, previously 40-59.