the Octobre Rose collective is once again campaigning against breast cancer

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Since 1985 throughout the world and 1994 in France, the month of October has been dedicated to raising awareness of cancer be you. HAS Montpellier, the Pink October collective* mobilizes like every year to remind the importance of early detection with a main message: “Take charge of your breasts”.

Take the drama out of mammography

Before anything else, it is essential to remember that as part of organized breast cancer screening, all women aged 50 to 74 can benefit from a free mammogram every two years. While the European threshold is set at 70% to be effective on the population, in Montpellier only 52% of eligible women participated. An inconsistency. “We need to play down this mammogram. 7 out of 1,000 patients will see an abnormal mammogram, so that’s 9,993 normal mammograms. We are not going to do a mammogram to diagnose cancer but to detect as early as possible warning signs or a small cancer which will have fewer after-effects and impact on the woman’s life” underlines Dr Christine Kerr, radiotherapist oncologist at the ICM.

“One in eight women are affected by breast cancer in France and, unfortunately, only one in two has had mammography screening. You have to talk about it to those around you,” she adds, calling for vigilance on another level: “Convocations by the CPAM were previously done by mail. Now, they are done by email. “This still poses a problem for people who have difficulty using the internet.”

Remembering that 40% of cancers could be avoided with habits helping to stay in good health (having regular physical activity, a balanced and seasonal diet, avoiding the consumption of too many medications, zero tobacco, reducing alcohol consumption and maintain social ties), 61,000 new cases of breast cancer were detected in 2023 and remain among the most common cancers. However, if detected early enough, it can be cured in nine out of ten cases. Furthermore, 1% of breast cancers affect men. If no screening is organized, any nodule, discharge or enlargement should require a consultation with the treating physician.

Get closer to the public

In Montpellier, the Octobre Rose collective has been mobilizing for around ten years to spread the message of screening, collect donations for research or support of patients and carry out awareness-raising activities as close as possible to the populations. The launch carried out on Friday in La Mosson instead of rue de la loge where a sky of pink umbrellas is installed each year, is the symbol of this, as underlined by Mathieu Pardell, departmental director of ARS Occitanie: “It is here that the issues are main in breast cancer screening, more than rue de la loge. We need actions to reach out and get closer to the public who need it the most.” Thus, the flagship event of the campaign “Within the neighborhoods, 100% of women supported” will take place this year in the Pas du Loup – Val de Croze district” all day on October 23.

Numerous traveling awareness, information and screening actions are organized in the city with all partners and equipment such as the Mammobile or the mobile health prevention unit (Ma.P). Without forgetting the sports partners who provide visibility to the operation during their matches and also set up operations to raise funds. Finally, a player in corporate prevention, EnSanté, partner of the Octobre Rose collective, is launching the “Take your breasts in hand” campaign aimed at learning the simple gesture of self-examination.

More information on breast cancer screening and the actions carried out during Pink October in Montpellier montpellier.fr.

* Occitanie Regional Health Agency, Hérault Health Insurance, Montpellier University Hospital, ICM Montpellier, Regional Center for Coordination of Cancer Screening in Occitanie, City of Montpellier, Mutualité Française Occitanie, University of Montpellier, League against Cancer, Association Mammobile Hérault, La Montpellier Reine, Entre Ciel et Mer, Vivre comme avant, Arcopred, Etincelle Occitanie, Montpellier Institut du Sein, Clinique Clémentville, CPTS Montpellier 1, CPTS Montpellier Sud et Ouest, CPTS Montpellier Lez Mosson. In partnership with Montpellier Lattes Basket Ball, Montpellier Hérault Sport Club, Montpellier Hérault Rugby, Montpellier Hand Ball, Montpellier Basket Croix d’Argent, CCI Montpellier, Polygone and numerous associations involved in priority areas of the city.

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