Morocco/Launch of the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Awareness and Early Detection Campaign

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection announced the launch of a national awareness, prevention and early detection campaign for breast and cervical cancers, to coincide with Pink October, World Cancer Awareness Month.

Organized throughout the month of October, the campaign aims to raise awareness among the population, particularly those in the age groups targeted by the program, of the importance of preventing breast and cervical cancers through vaccination of girls aged 11 against human papillomavirus (HPV) and early detection for women in the targeted age groups.uterus through vaccination of girls aged 11 against human papillomavirus (HPV) and early detection for women in the targeted age groups, the Ministry said in a press release.

A structured system for the early detection of breast and cervical cancers was set up and strengthened under the first National Cancer Prevention and Control Planle du cancer 2010-2019 and then the second plan 2020-2029, enabling the provision of better screening, diagnosis and treatment, added the same source.

To this end, 57 reproductive health referral centers, 12 regional oncology centers and two centers of excellence in gynecological oncologyco-mammary oncology (at the Rabat and Casablanca university hospitals) have been set up, in addition to 27 mobile mammography units mobilized to bring services closer to people living in remote areas.

Organizational measures have also been taken to improve access to HPV vaccination, screening, diagnosis and treatment services, with the support and mobilization of institutional partners, associations and civil society.

According to the latest report from the Greater Casablanca Cancer Registry (2018-2021), breast and cervical cancers are respectively the 1st and 4th most common female cancers, accounting for 39.1% and 6.5% of cases recorded, it concluded.

Source: www.mapexpress.ma/