Cancer screening in Spain.

OBJECTIVE To describe the current status of breast, colorectal and cervical cancer screening in Spain. METHODOLOGY The situation was analysed on the basis of data drawn from surveys conducted in each autonomous region (Comunidad Autónoma). RESULTS Currently, breast cancer screening coverage is 100%. In 2007, overall participation was 67.0% with an adherence of 91.2%. The detection rate was 3.4 per thousand, 15.1% intraductal and 30% invasive <1 cm in diameter, with 65% showing axilary node negative. Colorectal cancer screening had been implemented in six regions (4.5% of the target population). Participation ranged from 17.2% to 42.3%, with positive test percentages ranging from 1.7 per thousand (guaiac) to 9.5% (immunological). The invasive cancer detection rate was 1.7 per thousand (guaiac) and 3.4 per thousand (immunological). In most cases, cervical cancer screening was undertaken opportunistically, with an estimated coverage of 69.0%. CONCLUSIONS In Spain, cancer screening is being conducted in accordance with national and international recommendations. The fact that screening programmes are operated as a network has led to a high degree of consensus as to the methodology and information systems to be used to enable joint evaluation.