November 3, 2023
Greece recorded the highest availability of mammography machines
In 2021, the highest availability of mammography units (machines designed exclusively for taking mammograms) per 100 000 inhabitants for women aged 50-69 years, was recorded in Greece (7.1 units) and Cyprus (5.9 units). The rate of mammography units was also high in Belgium (3.6), Italy (3.4) and Croatia (3.3). By contrast, the lowest availability was observed in Germany (0.5 units), France (0.7), Romania (0.9), and Poland (1.0), followed by Luxembourg, Czechia and Estonia (all with 1.1 units per 100 000 inhabitants).
The largest increases between 2011 and 2021 in the availability of mammography units per 100000 inhabitants were recorded in Greece (+1.6 units), Cyprus and Bulgaria (both +1.2). By contrast, the availability of these units decreased in 9 out of the 24 EU countries with data available. The largest decreases were registered in Malta (-1.0), Luxembourg (-0.5), Slovenia, Poland and Denmark (all -0.3 units per 100 000 inhabitants).
For more information
- Statistics Explained article on cancer screening statistics
- Thematic section on health
- Database on health
Methodological notes:
For breast cancer screening rates:
- Programme-based data. The rate shown is the proportion of women aged 50 to 69 years who received a mammography within the previous two years (or according to the specific screening frequency recommended in each country). This is shown as a proportion of women eligible for an organised screening programme. Data for Greece, Romania, Spain and Portugal were not available.
- Denmark: 2012 data instead of 2011.
- Germany and Finland: 2021 data are estimate.
- Sweden: women aged 40–74 years; screening within the previous 18 to 24 months; 2011 data not available.
- Malta: in 2011 women aged 50–59 years.
- The Netherlands: in 2021 women aged 49–69 years.
- Ireland: age group has been changing from 50–64 years to 50–69 years; 2021 data are provisional.
- Estonia: in 2011 women aged 50–62 years.
- Belgium: 2020 data instead of 2021.
- France and Luxembourg: 2021 data are provisional.
- Austria: 2015 data instead of 2011.
- Poland: 2011 data not available.
- Slovakia: women aged 40–69 years.
- Cyprus: excludes screening in the private sector.
- Bulgaria: 2011 data not available; 2017 instead of 2021
For mammography units:
- Data not available for the Netherlands.
- Belgium and Finland: 2020 data instead of 2021.
- Croatia: 2012 data instead of 2011.
- Malta, Czechia and Poland: break in series.
- Latvia: 2021 data includes medical and diagnostic laboratories.
- Austria, Estonia and France: 2013 data instead of 2011.
- Spain and Portugal: 2021 data are provisional.
- Ireland: 2018 data instead of 2021.
- Hungary: 2017 data instead of 2021.
- Sweden and Germany: 2011 data not available.
- Portugal, France and Germany: includes data from hospitals only