Written by Arthur Puybertier, Violette Seldubuisson,
Translated by Rachel Ducept,
Proofread by Rachel Ducept.
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Published on October, 30th, 2022.
Created in 1994, Pink October is the occasion to sensibilize the population against risk of breast cancer all around the world. In 2020, it was the leading cause of death from cancer for women according to the WHO. This agency underlines as well that chances of survival are unequal in the world. Reaching 90% in high-income countries, they do not exceed 30% in low-income countries. Reporting back on proposed to tackle this global scourge.
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Reduce the mortality due to breast cancer, a WHO’s initiative
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Since 2021, WHO aims to reduce the cancer mortality rate by 2.5% each year. And this via three pillars : the sanitarian promotion in order to detect rapidly, a timely diagnosis, and a complete medication management of breast cancer. WHO recommends quick support and goes so far as to provide care equipment where there is a lack of medical and financial resources. This agency works for universal health coverage by adapting this action to each country. This is the case in Mali for instance, where 40% of the population live in extreme poverty. NGOs present in the country regret an increasing incidence rate and often too late detection of tumours. The reason ? The lack of economical resources, such as structural or material means. In relation with WHO, organizations like Doctors Without Borders carry out a massive screening campaign and support women in the treatment of the disease. A psychological support is acclaimed on site, to avoid the isolation of patients.
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Screening everywhere to raise awareness of its importance: focus on Argentina
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Awareness of screening seems to be picking up again in several countries during this month of October, and this is the case in Argentina. After a national control program, the government established in October “the night of mammograms”. This initiative allows seniors to have access to mammography every Thursdays evenings in October. It’s the less congested time of day which is mostly dedicated to them.
For those who couldn’t go to hospitals, the League Against Cancer in Argentina promotes its “mobile mammography” program, which allows free access to screening to the greatest number of people through its mobility in the regions.
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In France, an effective screening but questionable
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Since 1994, the General Direction of Health has set up a national breast cancer screening program. Women between 50 and 70 years old are invited to have a mammogram every two years. Despite the success of this mesure, the association “ young and pink” warning about the lack of screenings for young women, even if the incidence rate of the disease increases on them.
Preventive screening seems essential to many activists, as does awareness of self-examination in order to know how to detect potential tumors without the use of X-rays.
Enough to fuel the debate because the practice is not unanimous among specialists, some fearing that these rays create more tumors than they detect.
This October was the occasion to show WHO’s action, coupled with the work of activists and associations, makes it possible to face breast cancer. All of these initiatives are crucial to ensuring global quality of care, at a time when non-communicable diseases, and violence, are today responsible for 70% of deaths worldwide.
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Rachel Ducept