As part of the “Pink October” campaign, an awareness walk was held in Franceville to promote the fight against breast and cervical cancers.
The event, which took place last Saturday in Franceville, the capital of Haut-Ogooué province, aimed to encourage early detection and prevention of breast and cervical cancers.
The initiative was supported by coordinator Ardy Mamadou and Colonel Christiane Nzue, President of the Federation of Wives of the Armed and Security Forces of G2, in collaboration with the local team of the Gabonese Midwives Association (ASFG) led by Christiane Matteya, as well as Dr. Ivala, the Regional Health Director for the Southeast.
Participants marched through the streets of Franceville in a lively and engaged atmosphere, with many dressed in pink to show their support.
At the conclusion of the walk, information and screening booths were set up, offering women medical advice and free testing. Organisers stressed the importance of continuing awareness efforts throughout the year to save more lives.
In Africa, breast and cervical cancers remain among the deadliest diseases for women. In 2022, breast cancer claimed 146,130 lives on the continent, while cervical cancer caused 80,614 deaths, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
Although largely preventable through HPV vaccination and early screening, limited access to healthcare keeps mortality rates high, highlighting the urgent need to strengthen prevention and treatment measures.
DM/ac/lb/as/APA