Côte d’Ivoire fights breast and cervical cancers with screening
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In Côte d’Ivoire, health officials and the Conseil hévéa-Palmier-Huile-Coco (CHPC) organized a health awareness and screening day on October 20, 2026, to address breast and cervical cancers.
These cancers are major public health concerns in the country, and early detection is key to improving outcomes. In 2022, Côte d’Ivoire recorded 3,869 new cases of breast cancer and 2,360 cases of cervical cancer, resulting in 2,092 and 1,461 deaths respectively. Dr.
Mélaine Houndjé, a physician at the CHPC, emphasized the importance of seeking screening even without noticeable symptoms. For breast cancer, people should be aware of any changes in the breast’s shape, size, or skin, or unusual discharge. For cervical cancer, the primary cause is a persistent infection with high-risk types of the human papillomavirus (HPV), and regular screenings like Pap tests can detect abnormalities.
The World Health Organization recommends HPV vaccination for girls aged nine to 14 to prevent infection and, ultimately, cancer. The WHO aims to vaccinate 90% of girls against HPV by 2030, screen 70% of women, and treat 90% of those with precancerous lesions or cancer. Beyond medical tests, officials stressed the importance of psychological support and breaking down the stigma surrounding cancer diagnoses to encourage early intervention and improve treatment success.
