The Andalusian Health Service (SAS) has admitted a "technical incident" that led to the erroneous notification of false positives to patients undergoing colon cancer screening tests in the province of Malaga. Official sources from the Costa del Sol health district confirmed that a higher-than-expected number of positive results for occult blood in stool was detected, necessitating the repetition of the analyses.
Laboratory professionals themselves identified the anomaly upon observing an unusual volume of positive results. Following a review of the procedure, the incident was located, and a protocol was activated to inform the affected health districts and offer users the chance to repeat the test. New analyses are already underway.
“"They really messed up because the letter was printed on both sides. One side with my details, addressed to me, but the other side had the details of another person they were also inviting to the screening."
One of the affected patients, who has requested anonymity, also reported that the letter sent by the SAS to invite her to the early detection program contained personal information of another individual. The letter, printed on both sides, included her details on one and another user's on the other, which the patient considers a potential violation of data protection regulations.
The patient recounted the "great distress" caused by initially receiving a positive result, which led to a colonoscopy, only to be informed hours later by the Epidemiology service that she had to repeat the test due to a widespread error affecting more patients. She emphasized the "emotional impact" of such situations, despite understanding that errors can occur.
This incident occurs in a context where the Department of Health had assured that it would change the screening model for colon and cervix cancer, with significant investment to hire more staff, implement new software programs, and acquire medical supplies. The Andalusia regional government also planned to update the content of invitation letters to improve communication.
This is not the first time an incident related to colon cancer screening programs has occurred in Spain. In November 2025, the Community of Madrid reported a similar problem in communicating results that affected approximately 500 people.
