BRAZIL

On March 29, the Senate unanimously approved (with 71 positive votes) the bill that seeks to guarantee coverage and comprehensive care for women in the prevention of cervical uterine, breast and colorectal cancer. Thus, the initiative now passes to the Executive Branch for its eventual enactment. 

The bill in question seeks to amend Law 11644 in order to provide for the implementation of health actions to ensure the prevention, detection, treatment and follow-up of cervical, breast and colorectal cancer within the scope of the Unified Health System (SUS in Spanish). 

In this sense, the initiative contemplates the coverage of cytopathological examinations and tests of the uterine cervix, mammography and colonoscopy to all women who have already reached puberty, regardless of age. It should be noted that Law 11644 established that mammograms would be covered for women over 40 years of age. 

On the other hand, the initiative stipulates that women with disabilities and older women will be “guaranteed the conditions and adequate equipment to ensure comprehensive care in the prevention and treatment of breast, cervical or colorectal cancer”.