BRAZIL

At the end of May, the Committee for the Defense of Women’s Rights of Deputies adopted a draft bill guaranteeing access under the Unified Health System (SUS for its acronym in Spanish) to genetic testing for women at high risk of contracting breast cancer. The measure is part of the Brazilian Congress’s drive to promote the early detection of the disease in women.

The proposal, introduced by deputies Welinton Prado ( Partido Republicano da Ordem Social  – opposition) and Aliel Machado (Partido Socialista Brasileiro – opposition), amends Law No. 11,664/08, enshrining a series of measures to ensure the screening, prevention, treatment and follow-up for cervical and breast cancer. The new measure envisages the SUS providing genetic testing for women at high risk of developing breast cancer.

Currently under study by the Family and Social Security Committee, which is expected to give it the green light in the next few days, the draft bill will then pass to the Finance and Constitution Committees.