Anabel Cano believed she was free of cancer after a routine mammogram in Andalusia, a region in southern Spain. But nearly a year later, she underwent a mastectomy and lost a breast. Now, she feels deeply betrayed by the public health system she trusted.
“Why did they forget me?” Cano asked, speaking for hundreds of women affected by a breast cancer screening scandal that has shocked Spain. For years, follow-up tests and monitoring were not conducted after inconclusive mammograms. This failure left many women falsely reassured, unaware that cancer could have been developing in their bodies.
Cano, 52, a former housekeeper, had her initial mammogram in November 2023. She was told that if she did not receive a response within 15 days, everything was fine. Months passed with no news. Eventually, she was invited for another test, which revealed the cancer.
“If they had done it (the operation) one year earlier, perhaps I would not have gotten to where I am now,” she told AFP, reflecting the anguish of many women in similar situations.
The scandal came to light in September, when Amama, an Andalusian association representing breast cancer patients, publicly exposed the issue. The organization had received warnings from members about the lack of proper follow-up care.
Cano was the first to submit an official complaint against Andalusia’s health service, which is managed regionally under Spain’s decentralized healthcare system.
Amama’s lawyer, Manuel Jimenez, estimated that at least 230 women developed cancer after their mammograms were left unchecked, with three deaths reported so far. Initially, the regional government, led by the conservative Popular Party (PP), had downplayed the issue, mentioning only three or four cases. The government now acknowledges that 2,317 women may be affected by missed or delayed follow-up treatments.
The scandal has sparked widespread concern over the region’s handling of breast cancer screenings. Experts warn that delays in diagnosis and treatment can have serious consequences for patients’ survival and long-term health. Women like Cano argue that the public health system’s failures go beyond administrative errors and represent a profound breach of trust.
Amama continues to support affected women, helping them navigate complaints and legal processes. Meanwhile, public pressure is mounting on the Andalusian government to improve screening procedures and ensure no patient is left without timely follow-up care.
For many, the scandal is not just about medical oversight but about accountability and justice. Women who were “forgotten” hope that exposing the crisis will prevent future negligence and improve care for all breast cancer patients in Spain.
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