Canary Islands to Expand Breast Cancer Screening from 2027
Women across the Canary Islands, including Lanzarote, are set to benefit from a wider breast cancer screening programme beginning in 2027. The change will gradually extend routine mammogram invitations to more age groups, giving more residents access to screening through the regional public health service.
The expansion follows updated national guidance in Spain, which aims to widen the age range covered by organised breast cancer screening from women aged 50–69 to women aged 45–74. Rather than changing everyone’s eligibility at once, the Canary Islands will introduce the new groups in stages over a period of up to six years.
Which age groups will be included first?
The first stage is planned for 2027, when women aged 49 and 70 will begin to be added to the programme. Further age groups are expected to follow gradually until the wider age range is covered.
At present, the Canary Islands’ routine breast screening programme is aimed at women aged 50 to 69, with mammograms normally offered every two years. The gradual extension is intended to bring the service to younger women and those in their early seventies.
The programme applies across the archipelago, including Lanzarote, Fuerteventura, Gran Canaria and Tenerife. The precise timing of invitations will depend on the phased rollout, so residents should not assume that every newly eligible age group will receive an appointment immediately in 2027.
Why is breast cancer screening important?
A mammogram is an X-ray of the breast used to look for changes that may need further assessment. Screening can identify some cancers before a person notices symptoms, which is one reason regular attendance is encouraged by health professionals.
Figures released by the Canary Islands’ health authorities show that 120,736 mammograms were carried out through the programme during 2025. Of those examinations, 3,806 women were referred for further hospital assessment, and 634 breast cancers were detected.
Being referred for additional tests does not automatically mean someone has cancer. Further examinations are used to understand an unusual or unclear finding and decide whether treatment or monitoring is needed.
How will residents in Lanzarote receive an appointment?
The screening programme uses personalised appointment letters, which provide the date, time and location for the mammogram. Women who believe they should be eligible but have not received an invitation can contact their local health centre or the relevant breast screening service to ask for guidance.
For British and other international residents living in Lanzarote, it is sensible to ensure that their registration and contact details with the appropriate local and health services are up to date. Do not rely on a general announcement alone to confirm personal eligibility or appointment arrangements.
Anyone who is invited should follow the instructions in their letter and contact the service if they need to rearrange an appointment or have questions about the procedure.
Do not wait for a routine screening invitation if you notice a change
Routine screening is designed for people who do not have symptoms. If you notice a new lump, a change in the shape or appearance of a breast, skin dimpling, nipple changes or unusual discharge, contact a healthcare professional promptly rather than waiting for a screening appointment. This advice applies regardless of age or whether you have previously had a normal mammogram.
The planned expansion is a significant development for public healthcare in the Canary Islands and will gradually make organised breast cancer screening available to more women. For residents of Lanzarote, the key point is that the change will be phased in over several years, with the first additional age groups expected in 2027.
For the latest personal advice about eligibility, invitations and breast health, contact the Servicio Canario de la Salud or your local health centre.
