Ouagadougou: An awareness campaign and free screening for breast and cervical cancer was launched this Thursday in Leo, initiated by the Nando Regional Health Directorate. This activity, continuing until October 17, is part of the "Pink October" celebration.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the initiative was deployed in collaboration with the Leo Medical Center with Surgical Unit (CMA), where the Nando mobile clinic welcomed numerous women. The campaign aims to raise awareness about cancer risk factors and prevention methods, while screening for precancerous lesions.
"We came to raise awareness among women so that they can get screened early because these pathologies when they are screened early, the chances of survival are high so we encourage women to do self-examination and refer to a health center," stated Dr. Aziz Lankoande, head of the mobile clinic. He emphasized the importance of this initiative for rural populations.
Participants were informed about early detection, and the medical team demonstrated breast self-examination practices. The campaign also provided ultrasound examinations for pregnant women, a service currently unavailable at the CMA maternity ward.
Women benefited from free cervical lesion screenings, and those aged 40 and over received additional mammograms. Awa Dabire nee Yago expressed gratitude after her mammogram, thanking the authorities for the mobile clinics' life-saving services.
Organizers believe this initiative will help reduce mortality rates linked to female cancers, often unfamiliar in rural areas. This marks the third deployment of the Nando mobile clinic in Sissili province since its inception.