Motion Passes in Novelda Council to Bolster Breast Cancer Screening amidst Delays
Novelda, Spain – November 2025 – The Novelda City Council approved a motion today, spearheaded by Compromís per Novelda, demanding urgent improvements to the region’s mammography program due to notable delays in breast cancer screening. The motion passed with 20 votes in favor, with Vox abstaining.
The debate centered on concerns that over 90,000 Valencian women have not received screening invitations this year, and that fewer than 12,000 mammograms have been performed under the current Popular Party administration compared to previous figures. Councilor for Health, Mélani Sánchez, powerfully stated, “Behind those numbers there are lives, families and fear,” urging the Ministry to act swiftly and commit to a “strong, transparent and close public health” system, emphasizing that “breast cancer does not wait, and every day that is lost can cost a life.”
The motion calls for the Valencian Government to strengthen public health system resources, guarantee regular check-ups, and improve early detection of breast cancer, with a focus on reducing wait times and considering lowering the screening age.
However, the path to approval wasn’t without contention. Vox representative, Serrano, criticized Compromís for including the term Valencian Country in the presentation, stating, “that term does not exist; it is about the Valencian Community. But you can’t help but poke the bar with your manias.” He defended the importance of early detection but reproached Compromís for a perceived lack of action during their eight years in the Generalitat, ultimately announcing his group’s abstention.
The People’s Party offered support with reservations. Spokesperson Victoria Céspedes acknowledged the “concern about the delays” and the need for increased resources, but cautioned against lowering the screening age to 40, stating it “is not supported by scientific criteria” of leading medical societies and demanding changes be based on technical reports. She concluded, “Public healthcare must be of quality and not depend on the color of the government in power.”
Compromís spokesperson, Silvia Anna, expressed gratitude for the favorable votes from PSOE and PP, lamenting Vox’s abstention as stemming from “ideological reasons more than for the health fund.” She reminded the council that compromís initially proposed expanding mammography coverage in 2022,with agreement reached “with all parties in the Senate.” Anna added, “The work is done and we must continue to demand that prevention and women’s health be a real priority, not a matter of acronyms.”
