The Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) reported that, between 2019 and 2023, Disability spending due to breast cancer increased by 66%, which It led to pensions for 3,526 women with an average age of 48 years. Last year alone, spending amounted to 245 million pesos.
During the same period, the IMSS treated 40,724 breast cancer patients who required at least temporary disability, averaging 6.3 pages per patient, with a maximum duration of 17.4 days, which resulted in 4.4 million days not worked, according to Dr. Mauricio Hernández Ávila, director of Economic and Social Benefits.
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Within the framework of Breast Cancer Awareness Month worldwide, he said that breast cancer patients suffer pain, psychological suffering, low self-esteem, decreased confidence, tension in relationships at home, loss of economic income , reduction in professional capacity, as well as additional medical expenses related to the medical treatments you receive.
He added that the family is also affected by moral and psychological suffering, loss of income and sometimes it is the reason that a son or daughter must abandon their studies or start working; The employer must also face challenges due to absenteeism.
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“Health institutions must invest large sums in medical care, rehabilitation, financial benefits or early retirement and the proof is the 66% increase in disability expenses due to breast cancer in the IMSS since 2019. “62% of patients have at least a period of 100 days of disability, which can be considered prolonged temporary disability,” he commented.
According to the IMSS; 36% of the patients who receive disability are between 40 and 49 years oldwhich represents the landscape of women who are active in the workforce, followed by women ages 50 to 69.