Essential information for the population on the prophylactic testing of breast cancer

The early detection programme of cancer includes prophylactic tests on state-paid cervical cancer, breast cancer and intestinal (colorectal) cancer. In the cervical and breast cancer tests, call letters are sent, but the gut tests are organised by family practitioners.
Routine cancer prophylactic tests are very important as pre-emptive changes do not result in complaints and have no symptoms. Prophylactic tests provide an opportunity to obtain assurance on the state of health, while in the event of an illness, early treatment should be initiated.
Breast prophylactic tests
The call letters are sent at random according to the population register data. The call for breast cancer (with mammography) is sent to women aged 50-68 (every two years). The letter of invitation shall be sent to the address of the place of residence declared by the woman within approximately three months of the date of the person's birth.
Ages in which invitation letters are sent:
• Breast cancer prevention: 50, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68 years.
In 2020, a letter of invitation to breast cancer will receive women born in 1952, 1954, 1956, 1958, 1960, 1962, 1964, 1966, 1968 and 1970. The invitation is valid for two years, but is invited to perform an examination within a few months from receipt of the invitation - the invitation is not sent to a woman who has been subjected to a mammography examination within a year until the date of preparation of the letter of invitation.
As from 2018, prophylactic tests for breast cancer can also be carried out if the call letter is not taken (for example, if it has been lost or has been sent but not received). Information regarding the number of the letter of invitation sent to the woman and the date of dispatch in medical treatment institutions shall be available electronically.
The National Health Service has developed visual materials that collect medical treatment institutions by territories (Riga, Vidzeme, Latgale, Zemgale, Kurzeme), which provides the prophylactic examination of breast cancer (mammography), if a letter of invitation from the National Health Service has been received - the medical treatment institutions nearest to your territory are viewable on the map.
More information on the early detection programme of cancer and the prevention of cancer prevention is available in the www.vmnvd.gov.lv of the National Health Service website: “healthcare services” — “cancer early detection programme” https://bit.ly/2Z8rf11.

Anna Carolina Shoule
Public relations specialist
Phone: +371 67 043 787,
www.vmnvd.gov.lv | www.twitter.com/vmnvd
Cēsu Street 31 k-3, 6 th entrance, Riga, LV-1012, Latvia