Mexico’s Mammography Coverage Still Below Pre-Pandemic Levels

A new study by the National Institute of Public Health (INSP), the Universidad Autónoma de San Luís Potosí (UASLP), and the MAGNI Gynecology Group reports Mexico’s breast cancer screening coverage remains below pre-pandemic levels and far from WHO recommendations, highlighting urgent gaps in access, equipment, and education. 

Mammography remains the primary method for the early detection of breast pathologies, including breast cancer, the leading cause of cancer mortality among women in Mexico, according to the Ministry of Health. Yet, despite its importance, national coverage for this diagnostic tool continues to lag behind international standards, reports the INSP.

The study analyzed data from 18,999 Mexican women aged 40 to 69, using information from the National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) for 2018, 2021, and 2022. The findings reveal that mammography coverage declined from 27.46% in 2018 to 16.03% in 2021, recovering slightly to 20.14% in 2022, still well below pre-pandemic levels.

Coverage was higher in urban areas and among women with lower levels of social marginalization, revealing inequities in access to screening. Women over 50, with higher education levels, living with a partner, and with access to public or private health services were more likely to have undergone a mammogram in the previous year.

By institution, coverage was highest among beneficiaries of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), followed by those covered by the Institute for Social Security and Services for State Workers (ISSSTE), while uninsured women showed the lowest rates.

Infrastructure also remains limited. The study found an average of 3.24 mammography machines per 100,000 women aged 40 to 69. Only Coahuila and Baja California Sur surpassed the estimated benchmark of seven mammography units needed to meet screening demand. States such as Morelos, Mexico State, Oaxaca, and Puebla were among the lowest in equipment availability.

Angélica Ángeles, lead author of the study, said the data demonstrate how coverage has evolved over time and identify key factors influencing whether women undergo screening, including age, education, marital status, and proximity to medical units with mammography services. She suggests that the sharp decline in 2021 may be associated with the impact of COVID-19 and hospital reallocation during the pandemic. Other research has also documented reductions in cancer detection tests and mammography procedures during that period.

International benchmarks highlight the gap. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 70% coverage every two years among women aged 49 to 69, a target far from Mexico’s pre-pandemic rate of 27.46%. Achieving this level, says Ángeles, represents a major structural and operational challenge, as it requires addressing unequal distribution of equipment, limited availability of trained personnel, and low risk perception among women.