Starting today, October 1st, 2026, women under 40 years old will be able to access digital mammography exams in the private healthcare network, covered by their health insurance, provided they have a referral from their doctor.
The rules were updated by the National Supplementary Health Agency (ANS) on September 3, 2026, at the 10th Extraordinary Meeting of the Board of Directors of 2026, which took place online on the ANS YouTube channel.
Currently, health insurance companies were responsible for promoting the examination for women aged 40 to 69 years old. With the exclusion of this from their usage guidelines, the decision regarding the use of digital mammography will now be centered on clinical evaluation and indication, guaranteeing access to the procedure for screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of breast cancer treatment.
It is worth noting that although the rules have been updated by the ANS (National Agency for Supplementary Health), the Brazilian College of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging (CBR), the Brazilian Society of Mastology (SBM), and FEBRASGO (Brazilian Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics Associations) recommend starting screening for the disease from the age of 40, with annual frequency. This approach aims for maximum individual benefit, arguing that detection in younger women, although less frequent, is crucial.
Together we are stronger, prevention is also treatment!