After Pilot Project Ends, Women with Breast Cancer Forced to Pay 3,000 Euros for Genetic Test
A state-funded pilot project that covered an expensive genetic test for breast cancer patients has ended, leaving women to pay around 3,000 euros themselves or seek charitable help for a test that determines whether chemotherapy is needed. The Ministry of Health acknowledges the test should be included in state-paid services but has not done so.
Women with breast cancer in Latvia are once again facing financial burdens after a pilot project that provided a costly genetic test on the state's dime came to an end. The test gives a clear answer on whether chemotherapy is necessary or can be avoided. Now, however, patients must pay approximately 3,000 euros out of pocket or turn to charities for support.
The Ministry of Health has acknowledged that this genetic analysis should be included in the list of state-funded medical services. But despite this recognition, it has not yet been added to the coverage list, according to Latvian Television. The test is crucial for tailoring treatment plans, as it can prevent unnecessary chemotherapy and its side effects.
During the pilot program, the state covered the costs, enabling many women to receive precise diagnostic information. With its conclusion, patients are once again faced with a difficult choice: either pay a significant sum or go without a test that could guide their treatment. Health professionals and patient advocates are urging authorities to act swiftly to ensure equal access to this vital examination.
