Up to Four-Month Wait for Breast Cancer Treatment in the Canary Islands

Breast cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related death among women, and although the early detection system in the Canary Islands functions effectively, many patients face alarming delays of up to four months between the first suspicion of illness and the start of treatment, according to hospital data and patient associations. This situation raises serious concerns about the accessibility and efficiency of healthcare services in the region, particularly for those diagnosed with this life-threatening disease.

Delays in Treatment Start

The 2024 Quality Management Report from the Hospital Universitario de Gran Canaria Doctor Negrín, along with information from the ÁMATE Breast Cancer Association of Tenerife, highlights significant delays across the patient care process — from diagnosis to surgery and subsequent post-operative treatments. These delays can have profound implications for patient outcomes, as timely intervention is critical in the management of breast cancer.

On average, breast cancer patients in the Canary Islands wait between six weeks and nearly four months to begin treatment after the first sign of illness. Surgical cases take an average of 85 days to reach the operating theatre, while subsequent radiotherapy or chemotherapy may not begin until around 120 days later. This timeline is concerning, especially considering that early treatment is essential for improving survival rates.

Interestingly, patients receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy (administered before surgery) face the shortest waits, starting treatment roughly 45 days after first hospital contact. While this is a positive aspect of the treatment pathway, it underscores the need for systemic improvements to reduce waiting times for all patients.

Patient Experiences and Hospital Challenges

According to Mari Carmen Bonfante, president of ÁMATE, the situation is similar in Tenerife, where patients often wait up to three months between diagnosis and surgery. “The screening system works very well, but everything slows down after that,” she said. “I was diagnosed on 29th February and operated on 27th April. It’s terrifying to wait and wonder every night if it’s growing.” This sentiment reflects the anxiety and uncertainty faced by many patients as they navigate the healthcare system.

Bonfante attributes the delays to overloaded hospitals, insufficient operating theatres, and a shortage of medical staff, all of which have been aggravated by population growth in the region. These systemic issues highlight the urgent need for healthcare authorities to address resource allocation and staffing levels to ensure timely access to care for all patients.

Mammograms are among the diagnostic tests with the longest waiting lists in the Canary Islands. As of June 2025, some 761 people were waiting for a mammogram, with an average delay of nearly two months (58.6 days). This backlog not only delays diagnosis but also contributes to the overall treatment delays experienced by patients.

By hospital, the Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria Hospital has the most patients on the list (278), followed by the University Hospital of the Canaries (HUC) with 222, and the Doctor Negrín Hospital with 147. The HUC also reports the longest average delay, nearly 116 days, which raises questions about the hospital’s capacity to meet patient needs effectively.

Screening Program and Recommendations

The Canary Islands Health Department reports that its Breast Cancer Early Detection Programme covers 100% of women aged 50–69, with a commendable 70% participation rate. In 2024, 109,936 mammograms were carried out, resulting in 596 confirmed cancer diagnoses. Reports are usually issued within a week of screening, and if a tumour is suspected, patients are contacted within 24–48 hours. This rapid communication is crucial for ensuring that patients receive timely follow-up care.

Both ÁMATE and the Canary Islands Breast Cancer Association, led by Marisa Herrera, are urging authorities to expand the screening age range, starting from 35 or 40 years and removing the upper limit of 69. “Thirty percent of diagnoses occur in women under 40,” Bonfante noted, while Herrera added that “many older women remain active and should continue to be included in screening.” This recommendation reflects a growing recognition of the need for more inclusive screening practices to catch breast cancer earlier in a broader demographic.

Despite the delays, experts agree that early detection remains the key to survival, reducing mortality by up to 30% when breast cancer is identified in its earliest stages. This statistic underscores the importance of not only improving access to screening but also ensuring that the healthcare system can support timely treatment initiation.

Key Points

• Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related death among women in the Canary Islands.
• Patients face delays of up to four months from suspicion to treatment initiation.
• The average wait for surgery is 85 days, with additional delays for chemotherapy and radiotherapy.
• Over 761 individuals are currently waiting for mammograms in the Canary Islands.
• The Breast Cancer Early Detection Programme covers women aged 50–69 with 70% participation.
• Patient associations are advocating for expanded screening to include younger women.