Enhancing access to screening

Free cancer screenings for women will be offered by the Fitia association on October 2nd and 3rd, improving early detection and increasing the chances of recovery.

For two days, the integrated care center in Mahamasina will transform into a screening hub for women’s cancers. The free screening will be organized on October 2nd and 3rd by the Fitia association, in collaboration with the Akbaraly Foundation, known for its initiatives in the fight against women’s cancers. The most common forms of cancer are breast cancer and cervical cancer, which are the leading causes of death among women. Early detection makes treatment simpler and more effective.

Women of all age groups are encouraged to undergo this test. Globally, doctors have observed a reduction in cancer cases, with these cancers typically appearing between the ages of 50 and 60. In Madagascar, the Ministry of Public Health and its partners are working to improve access to cancer screening for women. Health centers are equipped with visual inspection using acetic acid (VIA) to detect precancerous lesions of the cervix.

Every year, free screenings are conducted, especially during October, Breast Cancer Awareness Month. However, much more needs to be done. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), only 140 of the country’s 2,500 health centers offer VIA services, limited to 12 out of 114 districts. Furthermore, few women currently undergo this test.