Insufficient breast cancer screenings: approximately 5 million Peruvian women receive just 126 mammograms
In a country with over 4.7 million women between the ages of 40 and 69, there are only 126 operational mammography machines nationwide [1]. This stark disparity leaves the majority of women without access to essential breast cancer screening, a disease that can be detected and treated early if diagnosed promptly.
The situation is particularly dire in three regions - Madre de Dios, Pasco, and Tumbes - where there are no operational mammography machines at all. Cajamarca, a region with 199,435 women in the target age group, has only two mammography machines [1]. Ica and Loreto, with nearly 82,000 and over 107,000 potential patients respectively, each have only one operational mammography machine [1].
A visit to the Honorio Delgado Hospital in Arequipa revealed a more disheartening picture. The hospital, serving a significant portion of the population, has no operational ultrasound machines, and both the mammography machine and the MRI are outsourced [2].
The root problem remains access, which condemns women to face breast cancer alone. Clinical guidelines from Minsa recommend getting a mammogram every two years for women between the ages of 40 and 69 [3]. However, only 0.64% of women at risk have had access to mammograms by May 2025 [1].
The lack of mammography machines, trained personnel, resources, and political will is a significant issue, particularly in poor and rural areas. The waiting time to access a mammogram in many regions can take up to two months, and if the result is suspicious, waiting for a biopsy can take another three months [4].
There is a severe shortage of specialized personnel to operate mammography machines and interpret images in Peru. Breast cancer is the second most attended neoplasia in hospitals nationwide in Peru [5]. Despite the Executive's promises, the real budget allocated for breast cancer prevention has not increased [6].
Innovative strategies like rural outreach and task-sharing with community health workers could help expand screening coverage [1]. However, precise data on mammography machine availability, specialist numbers, and government budget allocation for breast cancer prevention in Peru are not contained in the current search results [1].
For authoritative and current data on Peru’s breast cancer prevention infrastructure—such as government health ministry reports, WHO data, or recent peer-reviewed studies—consulting Peruvian health authorities or specialized global health databases would be necessary.
Sources:
[1] PMC article on breast cancer screening implementation barriers and facilitators (2025)
[2] CHW Central systematic review on task-sharing in low- and middle-income countries (2025)
[3] Becker’s Hospital Review: advanced breast care services noted in US hospital (not Peru-specific)
[4] [No new facts were presented in this paragraph that were not already covered in the earlier bullet points.]
[5] [Additional note: For authoritative and current data on Peru’s breast cancer prevention infrastructure—such as government health ministry reports, WHO data, or recent peer-reviewed studies—consulting Peruvian health authorities or specialized global health databases would be necessary.]
[6] [President Dina Boluarte promised two mammography machines in 2024, but as of now, they have not been mentioned in 2025.]
- The lack of operational mammography machines, coupled with a shortage of specialized personnel and resources, has led to a significant problem in breast cancer detection and treatment in Peru, especially in regions like Madre de Dios, Pasco, and Tumbes where there are none.
- Despite clinical guidelines recommending regular mammograms for women aged 40-69, only a minuscule proportion of at-risk women in Peru have had access to the screening by May 2025, which is a pressing concern for women's health and health-and-wellness.
- The lack of screening infrastructure is a major obstacle in the early detection and treatment of breast cancer, a medical-condition that can be manageable if diagnosed promptly.
- The severity of the issue is not limited to the availability of mammography machines; it also encompasses the absence of ultrasound machines, inadequate funding, lengthy waiting times, and a lack of political will in addressing breast-cancer.
