Health Systems in Transition

Health systems in transition

Portugal

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includes the HPV vaccine for girls only and the vaccine is routinely administered

in two doses to all girls at age 10 years. Immunization rates in Portugal are

high, reaching 95% or more for vaccines such as those against measles, polio,

diphtheria, pertussis, hepatitis B and meningitis, and around 85% for HPV

vaccine (see section 1.4).

Screening rates for cervical cancer in Portugal are above the EU average

but below the rate observed in Austria, Sweden, Ireland, the United Kingdom,

France and Slovenia (OECD/EU, 2016). Cancer survival is one of the key

measures of the effectiveness of cancer care systems, taking into account both

early detection of the disease and the effectiveness of treatment. The 5-year

relative survival for cervical cancer has increased slightly in Portugal between

2003 and 2013, but is still lower than in countries such as Italy, Denmark,

Finland, Estonia, Sweden, France, Czech Republic, Germany, the Netherlands

and Belgium (OECD/EU, 2016).

Breast cancer screening rates for women aged 50–69 years in Portugal

are over 80% and show a notable improvement since 2004 (OECD/EU, 2016).

Over the last decade, the 5-year relative breast cancer survival has improved

throughout the EU, and Portugal has been no exception, recording rates only

lower than those observed in Sweden and Finland (OECD/EU, 2016).

Advances in diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer, including

improved surgical techniques, radiation therapy and combined chemotherapy

along with increased access, have contributed to increased survival over the last

decade. Portugal showed improvement in 5-year relative survival for colorectal

cancer between 2003 and 2013, reaching 60% (OECD/EU, 2016). In most EU

countries, colorectal cancer survival is higher for women but in Portugal, the

Netherlands and Austria men have a slightly higher survival (OECD/EU, 2016).

7.2.1 Equity of outcomes

Comparing the results of the National Health Survey in 2005/2006 with

2014 data, health inequalities remain a major concern, with people with no or

basic education showing higher risk for diabetes (four times higher) and chronic

obstructive pulmonary disease (three times higher), compared with those with

secondary education or more (OPSS, 2016).