The Ministry of Health and Social Protection is launching, from October 1 to 31, the National Campaign for Awareness and Screening of Breast and Cervical Cancers, under the slogan “Early detection is prevention and for your health, a protection”. Programmed on the occasion of Pink October, this campaign aims to increase public awareness of the importance of prevention and early detection, in particular among women aged 40 to 69 regarding breast cancer and women aged 30 to 49 for cervical cancer, the ministry said in a statement. The campaign is an opportunity to highlight the efforts made by the ministry to reduce morbidity and mortality due to cancer.
As part of the implementation of the National Cancer Prevention and Control Plan, the statement notes, a structured program for the early detection of breast and cervical cancers has been put in place to strengthen the offer. care in terms of screening, diagnosis and treatment of these two cancers. Thus, early detection is integrated into primary health care and reinforced by the construction and equipment of 43 reproductive health reference centers, 11 regional oncology centers and 2 gynecological oncology centers of excellence. mammography, as well as the acquisition of 22 mobile mammography units to ensure access for women in remote areas.
In addition, a set of organizational measures have been put in place to facilitate women’s access to screening, early diagnosis and treatment services under the best conditions, as well as to strengthen and mobilize partners, external ministerial departments and NGOs.
The ministry recalls that breast and cervical cancers are the first cancers recorded in women in Morocco, representing respectively 38.1% and 8.1%, according to data from the cancer registry.
