Health will allocate R$ 100 million for breast reconstruction of cancer patients

The reconstruction of breasts for women affected by cancer can be done by the Unified Health System (SUS) right after the surgery to remove the organ, called mastectomy, if there is no contrary indication by the medical team.

The statements were made by the Minister of Health, Marcelo Queiroga, who spoke to the press this Friday (21). On Thursday (20), the ministry announced that it will allocate more than R$ 100 million in resources for breast reconstruction surgeries by the SUS.

In actions for the breast cancer awareness month, the Pink October Queiroga visited a Caixa Econômica Federal branch on Avenida Paulista, in São Paulo, together with the bank’s president, Daniella Marques.

Information on breast cancer prevention will be offered to clients at more than 4,200 agencies across the country. During the October Rosa campaign, the content, produced by the Ministry of Health, will also be available through the Caixa Tem app, which currently has 112 million users.

Daniella Marques celebrated the partnership and made the entire structure of the bank available to the folder. Of the 149 million customers, more than 70 million are women.

“We are welcoming the Ministry of Health’s prevention booklet in the ‘Caixa paraelas’ spaces. In the ‘Caixa Tem’ app you have the booklet. We are doing a great stimulus but it will be a permanent reception”, said Daniella, who explained that the application can also make reminders about the date of the mammogram.

The National Cancer Institute (Inca) estimates that more than 66,000 women should be diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 in the country, with an estimated risk of 61.61 cases per 100,000 women. According to Inca, breast cancer accounts for about 28% of new cases of the disease in women, being the main cause of death for women in Brazil.

However, one in three cases can be cured if the tumor is discovered at an early stage. Therefore, experts emphasize the importance of early diagnosis. The Ministry of Health recommends performing mammography as a screening method for breast cancer, that is, a routine examination for women without signs and symptoms in the age group of 50 to 69 years, every two years.

According to Queiroga, this year, R$ 2.6 billion were allocated to fight the disease. “Even with all the investment, efficiency in primary care is fundamental, because preventing breast cancer is different from diagnosing it early. Performing physical activities, breastfeeding, controlling body weight and not consuming alcoholic beverages are basic preventive measures”, explained the minister.