Mammograms coverage, allocation and use of equipment in the Health Regions

ABSTRACT Mammography screening is the most important means to detect breast cancer. It is relevant to understand how this screening has been performed in Brazilian Health Regions, which are the fundamental spatial unity in the current health policy. The analysis of indicators related to the coverage of women from 40 to 69 years of age, number, distribution and degree of usage of mammography equipment show great problems in covering the targeted population, which cannot be explained only by the lack of equipment. The diversity of situations of the Health Regions and federal units is highlighted, showing better conditions in the Southeast and South and worse in the other regions.

摘要 乳腺钼靶筛查（Mammography screening）是检出乳腺癌的最重要手段。明晰巴西卫生区域（Health Regions）——该国现行卫生政策的基础空间单元——内的乳腺钼靶筛查开展现状，具备重要研究价值。针对40至69岁女性的覆盖情况、乳腺钼靶设备的数量、分布及使用程度等相关指标的分析显示，目标人群的覆盖工作存在诸多突出问题，而此类问题并非仅能通过设备短缺来解释。研究同时凸显了不同卫生区域与联邦单位间的境况差异：东南部与南部地区的筛查条件更为优越，其余地区则相对薄弱。