Canary Islands to extend breast cancer screening to more women from 2027

More women living in the Canary Islands will be offered routine breast screening from next year, as the regional health service begins widening the programme’s age limits.

Women aged 49 and 70 will be added in 2027, with further age groups introduced gradually over six years. The eventual aim is to cover women aged 45 to 74.

The announcement applies across the archipelago, including Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote and Fuerteventura.

The programme currently offers women aged 50–69 a mammogram every two years. The wider age range will not become eligible all at once.

How appointments work

Eligible women receive a personalised letter giving the date, time and location of their appointment. Mammograms are breast X-rays used to look for changes that may need further investigation.

For British residents, keeping address details up to date with the local council and health service can help ensure appointment correspondence reaches them.

Anyone unsure whether they are included, or concerned about a missed invitation, should contact their health centre or screening unit.

More than 120,000 checks last year

The programme carried out 120,736 mammograms in 2025. Of those screened, 3,806 women were referred for further hospital assessment, leading to 634 cancer diagnoses.

A referral for additional checks does not necessarily mean cancer has been found.

Health officials announced the expansion ahead of Breast Cancer Awareness Day on Monday, 19th October, encouraging women to attend when invited.

Routine screening is intended for women without symptoms. Anyone who notices a new breast change should contact their GP rather than wait for a screening appointment, whatever their age.