On February 5, the Madrid Regional Ministry of Health discovered an “incident” affecting approximately 500 people when communicating the results of the colorectal cancer screening program (Prevecolon) by letter. In a statement, Health emphasized that there were “no diagnostic errors” in the patient’s test results (detection of occult blood in stool) and that the patient’s medical records always recorded “correct results.”
According to the Ministry of Health, the incident occurred during letter notifications that about 500 patients received. Television network La Sexta reported yesterday that in February last year, some 571 Madrid residents received false letters regarding colon cancer tests, reporting false negatives to patients who may have colon cancer and need further testing, and even to patients who have not yet been tested. The network program interviewed the women affected.
Following this information, the Ministry assured that from the moment the company responsible for sending the letter was notified of the incident (February 5), each of these patients was contacted by phone, SMS or through a primary care medical professional. The situation was resolved between February 5 and February 12, one week after notification, and “all patients who received letters were informed of what had happened.”
The ministry stressed that “there have been no changes to the clinical process” nor has there been any change in the implementation of required complementary tests. Thanks to the Madrid Health Directorate (Selmas)’s management and quality system, medical experts contacted at least 200 of these patients and informed them of the correct results recorded in their medical records before the company notified them of the mistake, the health directorate said.
The City of Madrid reiterates its “absolute confidence” in the program, which has more than eight years of experience and has carried out more than 350,000 tests in 2024 alone. He says the public can be assured of the credibility of this process.
Colon cancer is the most common tumor among men and women in Spain. There will be 41,167 new cases diagnosed in 2024, and although 9 out of 10 people will survive if detected early, it has the second-highest mortality rate after lung cancer. Although this offer is mandatory in all communities for the population aged 50 to 69, its coverage could be improved when it comes to raising awareness, promoting access and issuing reminders. Participation rates are unequal, with only Navarre and the Basque Country having rates above 70%.
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