Sabtoana: The second vice-president of the special delegation of the commune of Komsilga, Esther Kini/Pare, chaired the launch of the Pink October activities of the Association Actions Solidaires (2A.S), aiming to raise awareness and promote screening for breast cancer. This initiative seeks to inform women about the risks associated with the disease and advocate for early detection.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the campaign, themed “Importance of awareness and early detection in the fight against breast cancer,” aims to dismantle the taboos surrounding breast cancer and foster collective action. Esther Kini/Pare highlighted the need for public health involvement, stressing that delayed diagnosis is the leading cause of breast cancer fatalities in Burkina Faso. She urged women to undergo regular testing and encouraged men to support their loved ones in this endeavor.
Blandine Bouda, president of the Burkina Faso women’s association and the ceremony’s patron, praised the 2A.S initiative and motivated participants to embrace the prevention message. Mathias Nikiema, the event’s sponsor, emphasized the vital role of men in supporting their family members, asserting that a woman’s illness impacts the entire family.
Clementine Minoungou/Nacoulma, the association’s president and a midwife at the Bogodogo University Hospital, shared her personal experience as a breast cancer survivor. Diagnosed in 2022, her journey inspired her advocacy for awareness, underscoring that early detection can lead to successful treatment. This year’s campaign introduces a mobile clinic to reach women in remote areas, aiming to expand access to screening.
Minoungou also called for continuous screening campaigns beyond October. The Pink October activities will extend throughout the month, concluding on November 1, 2025, with a fitness session and a symbolic balloon launch. Health specialists will lead panels discussing breast cancer risk factors, screening techniques, and prevention goals, accompanied by testimonies from survivors.
According to 2022 statistics, Burkina Faso reported 26,352 cases of breast cancer, resulting in 11,000 deaths related to the disease.