ChequéateRD program reaches 124,000 cancer screenings in four years

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic’s national program for the early detection of breast, cervical, and prostate cancer, ChequéateRD, announced it has conducted 124,000 screenings since its launch in 2021 through September 2025.

The initiative, a collaboration between the National Health Service (SNS) and the First Lady’s Office, provides free diagnostic and prevention services across the country. These services are delivered through 13 prioritized hospitals and 512 mobile health campaigns, bringing essential medical care directly to underserved communities.

During the fourth-anniversary event, First Lady Raquel Arbaje reiterated her commitment to the program’s expansion, stating that ChequéateRD “was born of that promise: to bring opportunities for life where they are most needed.”

Dr. Mario Lama, Director of the SNS, highlighted the program’s impact on reducing cancer mortality: “Every screening represents a life that can be saved. Early detection is our best defense against cancer.” Dr. Lama also emphasized that mammography can detect breast cancer up to two years before it is palpable, making early diagnosis the true life-saving tool.

To date, the program has screened 89,153 women and 34,603 men. Of the patients screened, 354 have been diagnosed with cancer via biopsy, with 276 currently undergoing treatment, underscoring the vital role of the program in timely intervention.