Ten years after it started, over a million woman have now taken part in Madrid's Breast Cancer Early Diagnosis programme (DEPRECAM), according to data supplied by the Regional Office for Oncology Coordination in time for World Breast Cancer Day which is being celebrated today

Of these million women, only 3,629 have been diagnosed with breast cancer, 70% of whom had their cancer diagnosed while it was still in the very early stages, allowing a much less aggressive treatment with a more positive prognosis.

Amongst women diagnosed with breast cancer outside of this programme, only 56% of cases are discovered in their initial stages.

DEPRECAM offers all women in Madrid aged between 50 and 69 the chance to have a mammography every two years, with the results being provided immediately.

Whenever a possible tumour is detected, additional mammographies and scans are offered within the same programme.  In those cases that then show a probable tumour, the women are referred to their local hospital via a special process, which reduces the time before they are seen by a specialist.

Less than 3% of the participating women fall into this last category, but those that do have received swift treatment, thus improving their prognosis considerably.