TIRANA, Nov 2 /ATA/ – Albania is seeking to expand breast cancer screening and promote year-round preventive healthcare for women, Health and Social Welfare Minister Klodiana Spahiu said during a meeting with female members of the Armed Forces marking the end of the international breast cancer awareness campaign.
Spahiu, accompanied by Deputy Defence Minister Pranvera Skana and Institute of Public Health Director Dorina Toçi, highlighted the importance of prevention, early diagnosis and regular health checks.
She said the priority was to ensure that screening went beyond awareness campaigns and became an accessible, ongoing service for all women.
The national breast cancer screening programme has been expanded to cover women aged 45 to 65, compared with the previous range of 50 to 60, bringing more women within its scope.
“We have expanded the screening age range from 50-60 to 45-65, aiming to include more than 345,000 women in the programme. Screening will continue throughout the year through hospitals and mobile units. Early diagnosis can make the difference between detecting a disease in time and facing a much greater risk to life,” Spahiu said.
She said healthcare policy should place greater emphasis on prevention and put citizens and their needs at the centre of the health system. The 2027 draft budget also supports preventive programmes, investment in healthcare infrastructure and wider access to quality services, she added.
Spahiu called for closer cooperation between institutions and urged women not to postpone medical check-ups, describing regular screening as a responsibility to themselves and their families.
Deputy Defence Minister Skana praised the participation of women in the Armed Forces in awareness-raising activities, stressing that women’s health should remain a priority throughout the year.
Toçi highlighted the importance of a comprehensive approach to women’s health, noting that women could also access HPV testing at their registered health centres to help prevent and detect cervical cancer at an early stage.
A total of 13,948 mammograms were performed across Albania between January and October 2026, including 5,275 in October alone, according to the figures presented.
The data underline the impact of awareness campaigns and the need to maintain screening efforts throughout the year, health officials said.
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