Latvian women were accused of not taking care of their health

According to a study by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Latvia has one of the highest rates of use of computed tomography in both outpatient and inpatient settings, with an average of more than 200 studies per 1,000 inhabitants. In Latvia, people often complain about long queues for electrocardiography, ultrasound, computed tomography and other radiological tests, but queues might be reduced if patients were always referred for these examinations on a reasonable basis.

There is also a downside: despite the fact that the state encourages women to get mammograms to prevent breast cancer, the response is relatively low. Data from the European Cancer Information System show that the incidence of breast cancer in Latvia is increasing, but mortality is not decreasing. Every year, about 1,260 new cases of breast cancer are registered, and 430 women die from this disease. To improve the situation, mammography screening has been introduced in the country since 2009, allowing women aged 50-69 years to undergo preventive breast examinations every two years. In 2023, the National Health Service sent out 140,000 letters inviting free screening, but only 50,500 women responded. In previous years the picture was no better.

Experts from the International Agency for Research on Cancer in their report emphasize that poor communication with recipients is to blame. About 20% of invitations sent do not reach the recipient because the women have changed their address. Since family doctors do not have a list of everyone invited to a mammogram, women who do not attend do not receive reminders, while experts emphasize that they are necessary. Trying to take this criticism into account, from May 2023 the Ministry of Health sends invitations not only by mail to the place of residence of women, but also electronically, if an email address is indicated on the portal www.latvija.lv.