Screening, conference on artificial intelligence, adapted physical activity and fundraising: several initiatives are organized in October in the Alpes-Maritimes for Pink October. In Nice, the Department, the Mozart Institute, the Nautical Club and hotel establishments are participating in the breast cancer awareness campaign.
The Pink October campaign gives rise to several initiatives in the Alpes-Maritimes. Prevention, support for patients and research funding are among the mobilization axes, with events organized in Nice throughout the month.
At the CADAM, the teams from the Mozart Institute are raising awareness among departmental staff about the importance of screening. Documentation and discussions with health professionals help to remind people of prevention measures. The department also plans a conference this Friday, October 16 at 6:30 p.m., at the Palais Sarde, on the theme “Cancers: AI in the service of research and screening”. The discussions will focus on the prospects offered by artificial intelligence in medical research and cancer detection.
In the Alpes-Maritimes, nearly 65,000 mammograms were performed in 2024-2025 as part of the organized breast cancer screening program. Since the beginning of 2026, 125 prevention campaigns have also been conducted in communes throughout the department, raising awareness among more than 4,260 people about cancers and screening issues.
A rowing outing offered to cancer patients
Physical activity is also part of the initiatives highlighted during Pink October. The Nice Nautical Club, the Antoine-Lacassagne Center and the Rotary Club Beaulieu Côte d’Azur are organizing a rowing discovery session this Friday, October 16 at 8:30 a.m., at the Nice Nautical Club. The outing is intended for cancer patients.
This initiative is part of a partnership initiated in 2018, originally centered around sailing outings for young patients and their parents. In 2021, the program was expanded to include rowing discovery for patients followed at the Antoine-Lacassagne Center, before being extended to those at the Mozart Institute.
The Nautical Club provides its boats and instructors, while volunteers ensure supervision. The Rotary Club Beaulieu Côte d’Azur covers the cost of licenses necessary for participation.
Created by the Alpes-Maritimes Department with the Antoine-Lacassagne Center, the Mozart Institute also offers support that goes beyond medical care alone. Psychological and social support, dietetics, art therapy and adapted physical activity are among the services offered to patients and their loved ones.
Since its opening in September 2023, the facility has welcomed 1,467 new users and held over 35,300 appointments. Breast cancer accounts for more than 50% of the conditions supported. A mobile team also operates in several territories, particularly in the Var, Vésubie and Tinée valleys.
Nice establishments mobilized for SOS Breast Cancer
The hotel sector is also participating in the campaign. Since 2019, the 3A Hôtels La Collection group has supported the Nice-based association SOS Breast Cancer. In October, the West End Hotel, the Aston La Scala Hotel, the Beau Rivage Hotel and Beau Rivage Beach are offering several operations designed to raise funds for the association’s awareness campaigns.
In 2025, the group donated 9,588 euros. This year, the establishments want to exceed this amount. The West End Hotel, the Aston La Scala Hotel and the Beau Rivage Hotel are notably marketing stays specially designed for Pink October, with pink decoration and products offered for the occasion.
Pink cocktails and desserts are also featured on the menus of the group’s bars and restaurants throughout the month. The Beau Rivage Hotel illuminates its façade in pink every evening. The program also included a dinner-opera organized on October 2 at the Le Siècle restaurant at the West End Hotel, as well as participation by employees from the various establishments in the Pink march organized by SOS Breast Cancer on October 4.
Research and support complement prevention
Beyond the events organized in October, the Alpes-Maritimes department supports several organizations committed to the fight against breast cancer, including the Regional Cancer Screening Coordination Center South PACA, the League Against Cancer and SOS Breast Cancer.
The local authority also indicates that it has dedicated over 23 million euros to financing 151 cancer research projects since 2006. These funds aim to support advances in diagnosis, treatments and quality of life.
With these various initiatives, Pink October highlights several aspects of the fight against breast cancer in the Alpes-Maritimes: screening, public information, support for sick people and research funding.
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