WOMEN'S CANCERS: THESE FIGURES THAT RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE BURDEN OF BREAST AND CERVICAL CANCER

Approximately 30% of cancers diagnosed in women and nearly 25% of female deaths are linked to breast and cervical cancer, according to Dr. Claude Ngabou, health program officer at the UNICEF regional office in Dakar. In light of these figures, the specialist calls for early detection, prevention, and vaccination to be prioritized year-round.

“Every month should be a pink month for women.” For Dr. Claude Ngabou, health program officer at the UNICEF regional office in Dakar, the fight against women’s cancers cannot be limited to an annual campaign. During an awareness walk organized on Saturday, October 24th in Almadies, Dakar, the specialist highlighted the burden of breast and cervical cancer.

“We celebrate Pink October, which focuses on the fight against cancers in women. But be careful, it shouldn’t be just a Pink October celebration. Every month should be a pink month for women, because screening, diagnosis and treatment of cancers in women must be able to be done much earlier,” he explains.

According to the doctor, breast and cervical cancers represent a significant proportion of cancers diagnosed in women. "Together, breast and cervical cancer account for approximately 30% of all cancers diagnosed in women. All cancers, not just those diagnosed in women, combined, these two represent 30%, which is extremely high," he emphasizes.

The specialist also mentions their impact on mortality. "When we also look at mortality and lethality, the women who die, we see that approximately 25% of women die because of these two cancers, cervical and breast cancer," says Dr. Ngabou.

He clarifies that these figures remain general estimates, as the available statistics are based primarily on diagnoses recorded in healthcare facilities. A portion of affected women thus go unrecorded. "Many women suffer or die quietly at home," he laments.

Faced with this situation, the doctor calls for action on the risk factors that can be controlled.

“We all have risk factors. There are factors that are controllable and others that we cannot control. But the factors that we can act on, it is extremely important that we work on those,” he recommends.

Early detection remains essential. Dr. Ngabou encourages women to pay attention to changes in their bodies and to consult a doctor as soon as any unusual sign appears. "Every woman must listen to her body, learn from her body. Any change, any modification that can occur at any time should be a warning sign and prompt the woman to seek medical advice, because it is extremely important," he insists.

Prevention also involves vaccination against the human papillomavirus (HPV), responsible for the vast majority of cervical cancers. The specialist specifically recommends vaccinating girls from the age specified in the guidelines. "What is recommended is that preventive vaccination be offered to girls within a certain age range, generally from 9 years old. Therefore, the Senegalese government encourages, and we also encourage, this vaccination. The vaccination is offered to girls, but it could also be offered to boys when the conditions are right, or when the vaccines are available," he explains.

It was within this awareness-raising framework that the UNICEF staff association, along with its partners, organized a hike around the theme "United at every step, mobilized against cancer." Colleagues, spouses, children, healthcare professionals, and walking clubs took part in this event in Almadies, despite the dust. An awareness session led by a midwife was also held on Thursday.

For Maïmouna Diallo, Deputy Operations Representative at the UNICEF Country Office, the fight against cancer must continue on a daily basis.

“This isn’t a one-day cause; it’s an ongoing fight,” she reminds us, calling for prevention messages to be shared within communities, including with children. She emphasizes the importance of getting tested quickly at the slightest doubt and shares that she herself lost a loved one to cancer.

"This is a cause that is close to us, that is among us, and we must take it very, very, very seriously," she emphasizes.

The president of the regional UNICEF staff association, for his part, stressed the need to "mobilize, contribute and participate" in order to promote early detection and maintain hope among affected communities.

Beyond Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October), the message from participants is clear: prevention, screening, and vaccination should not be one-off actions. Faced with breast and cervical cancer, mobilization must continue throughout the year.