This month, dedicated to the fight against breast cancer, the SUD region has launched a traveling campaign for information and prevention. This pink bus travels across the territory to raise awareness among women about screening.
“It’s always very important to talk about screening because we see that the earlier a cancer is detected, the better the chances of recovery,” says Solène Méar, delegate for action for patients and their families at the Alpes-Maritimes Cancer League, present at the stand, Place Garibaldi.
Indeed, in the case of early diagnosis, 3 out of 4 women will recover from their breast cancer, and up to 100% recovery at the very earliest stages. Breast cancer accounts for over 60,000 new cases in metropolitan France alone in 2023. It is the most frequent cancer in France and the leading cause of cancer death among women.
Here, with her colleagues, she shows women the steps to take to perform a self-exam. Self-monitoring is accessible to everyone and allows for the detection of potential anomalies (deformations, retractions, visible swelling, changes in color or texture, liquid or discharge from the nipple, lumps). In case of doubts or visible anomalies, it is advised to consult a healthcare professional.
This initiative is part of an organized screening awareness program targeting women aged 50 to 74. At this age, they are invited to get free screenings every two years by undergoing a mammogram and a clinical breast exam with a certified radiologist. Note that follow-up is different in cases of medical history or apparent symptoms.
The national participation rate for this screening is 47.7% for the period 2021-2022, according to the National Cancer Institute.
The 1st Screening Bus in France
Presented as the first screening bus in France, it was inaugurated on October 9 in Marseille by the region’s president, Renaud Muselier. He stated, “Each year, many breast cancers could be caught in time with screening. Let’s remove the barriers to screening: the Pink Bus and its healthcare professionals are coming to meet you. With a single goal: to save lives!“
Since then, the bus has traveled through the Bouches-du-Rhône, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, and Alpes-Maritimes. The end of the tour is near. The bus will be in Barcelonnette this Friday, October 27, from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, at Place Aimé Gassier, in front of the SCAL offices. It will make its last stop in La Trinité on Tuesday, October 31, from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, at Place Pasteur.
This initiative aligns with the objectives set out by the region’s second Cancer Plan, with a budget of 40 million euros, more than half of which is dedicated to research. Four main focuses have been established: to improve screening and prevention, strengthen the offer of care and support for patients and their families, develop research, and enhance innovations and their economic impact.
