Blue November: Women at the Port of Dakar raise awareness among their colleagues about prostate cancer

The Women's Association of Employees of the Autonomous Port of Dakar (AFEPAD) continues its commitment to the health of everyone within the port infrastructure. Following "Pink October," dedicated to women, it organized an awareness and screening day on Tuesday, November 9th, focusing on male cancers, particularly prostate cancer. This was a first for the Autonomous Port of Dakar and was held at the lighthouses and beacons station in Dakar.

A first within the Autonomous Port of Dakar

Launched as part of the "Blue November" campaign, this prostate cancer awareness and screening day is a first for the Autonomous Port of Dakar. It mobilized several port employees, including union representatives and dockworkers, among others. The goal is to raise awareness among men about prevention and the risks of late detection.

According to Ms. Aminata Touré Mbaye, president of the Association of Women of the Autonomous Port of Dakar (AFEPAD), there is a need to raise awareness about this disease, which is wreaking havoc in Senegal. “We live in a family environment. We are mothers, certainly, but we also have our brothers with us. Last month was ‘Pink October,’ and since ‘Blue November’ was established, the port in general has never thought to organize this awareness day.”

"So we, as women, mothers, sisters, thought we would organize this day to talk with our brothers so that, at least, they would be aware of this disease which is currently wreaking havoc in Senegal," she explained.

In this regard, after warmly thanking the PAD's general management for their support, Ms. Mbaye advocated for the continuation of this day in the same way as "Pink October".

The causes, signs, risk factors and how to prevent the disease, explained to the participants

On this occasion, Dr. Abdoulaye Ndiath, former hospital intern and urological surgeon at the Aristide Le Dantec Hospital in Dakar, in his detailed presentation, explained to the participants prostate cancer, the signs, the causes, the risk factors, and the prevention of this disease which is considered today as the 2nd cancer in men after liver cancer.

According to him, prostate cancer is a very silent disease; and the number of cases in Senegal was estimated at 1,073 in 2024, representing 18.9%. The number of deaths, meanwhile, was estimated at 656.

The urologist also revealed that prostate cancer is the fourth most common cancer in both men and women, with a rate of 7.5%, after cervical, breast, and liver cancers. He then announced that the number of prostate cancer cases could reach 1,574 by 2029.

Faced with this alarming increase, Dr. Ndiath urged men to get screened, starting at age 45. He explained that screening involves PSA testing and a digital rectal exam, and that it should be discussed individually with each man from that age onward. "Screening can save lives because it allows for the early detection of prostate abnormalities. The recommended screening frequency is every two to four years," the urologist concluded.

"This is a good initiative that we will support."

Representing the Director General of the Autonomous Port of Dakar, who was unable to attend, the Director of Human Capital and Organization of the Port of Dakar, Mandoye Ndoye, welcomed the initiative, before giving assurances on its sustainability for the benefit of the male staff of the port.

“We are here at the invitation of the Women’s Association to take part in this day on behalf of the Director General of the PAD, who is unable to attend. The association organized a day as part of Pink October. It also thought of men by organizing this day as part of ‘Blue November’ to raise awareness among staff about prostate cancer prevention,” Mandoye Ndoye emphasized.

He added: “This is a good initiative that we welcome, support, and encourage. The PAD's general management is ready to support them. In any case, as far as I'm concerned, it must be said that the health of the staff falls under the purview of the Human Capital and Organization Department of the Port of Dakar (DCHO). Therefore, it is an initiative that we can only encourage and support.”