The Cancer Institute of French Polynesia organizes until 1is July a cervical cancer awareness campaign. titled ” Green June”, it revolves around five actions carrying the same message: “Cervical cancer is preventable. Do your smear! »
Like Pink October for breast cancer, the French Polynesia Cancer Institute has made June the “green” month dedicated to the prevention of cervical cancer. This movement, which has been instilled worldwide since 2010, aims to provide a better understanding of this disease and to encourage women to be screened by smear.
This cancer, which affects regarding fifteen women in Fenua every year, has already been the subject of a joint campaign with that of breast cancer. But since January 1, the Cancer Institute of French Polynesia has taken over the screening missions, hitherto devolved to the Health Department, and wishes to anchor this “Green June” in the calendar.
Raising awareness in a fun way
Throughout the month of June and until the beginning of July, the ICPF is therefore planning more or less fun awareness-raising actions. The first will take place on June 24, on the occasion of “Mahana Matie”, the day all in green. This Friday, the population is invited to dress in green to support women affected by this cancer. To motivate mobilization, the ICPF is planning a photo contest with prizes to be won. To participate, all you have to do is post your photo dressed in green on social networks with the hashtag #MahanaMatie.
On July 2, the ICPF is planning an awareness day at the Assembly of French Polynesia from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Workshops around well-being will be offered free of charge to the public with conferences and exchanges in the presence of associations.
To be in the game and reach young people, the institute also relies on the influence of Tiktok, by launching the “Matie Tahiti Tik Tok”. This challenge, which will be initiated by three local ambassadors, will consist of publishing one or more messages of support for patients with this disease on their Tik Tok account with the hashtag #MatieTahiti.
A cancer whose causes are known
Unlike some other cancers, we know the cause of that of the cervix: the viruses called “human papillomavirus” or HPV, very widespread. They are transmitted during sexual intercourse, with or without penetration and even the condom does not protect 100%. According to official figures, 80% of women encounter it in their lifetime. In the majority of cases they heal spontaneously, but there is still a 10% risk of seeing these viruses cause microlesions that can become cancerous following several years.
The smear remains to this day the most effective way to avoid seeing cancer cells develop. Recall that it is advisable for women aged 25 to 65 to take a smear every three years. It is a painless and completely free gynecological examination. A vaccine once morest the papillomavirus is also available in Polynesia, and it has been proven in many countries to drastically reduce the number of cancers of the cervix. But unlike mainland France or New Caledonia, this vaccine is not currently reimbursed by fenua, and therefore not offered in schools. Seized by the League once morest cancer, the government is said to have undertaken to change the regulations and to launch a free vaccination campaign for young girls. No timetable has yet been made official.
Vaitiare Pereyre-Gobrait
