Breast cancer campaign begins
The October Rose month-long campaign has been launched officially by top women MPs.
Top female MPs illuminated the Ministry of Health in pink to mark the beginning of a month-long breast awareness campain.
Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot was joined by Interior Minister Michèle Alliot-Marie, Higher Education Minister Valérie Pécresse, Housing Minister Christine Boutin and Towns Minister Fadela Amara.
Meetings are taking place in other towns with large events planned at Gironde and Nice.
In an interview in Metro Health Minister Roselyne Bachelot said that 75% of women aged over 50 were getting screened with 50% as a result of the government’s organised programme.
The government wants to highlight the fact that all women aged between 50 and 74-years-old automatically receive an invitation for screening every two years.
The scans are fully reimbursed by the state. Breast cancer is the biggest cause of death among women with the highest risk among those aged between 60-69-years-old.
Ms Bachelot said she was particularly wanting to target poor people who were less likely to get tested.
“A health policy that does not target populations in difficulty will only help those more favoured who are always better informed.
“It is essential then to develop links, across pharmacies, associations and language schools, because there is also a language barrier,” she said in the interview.
This month the campaign will continue in Europe with the opening on October 7 of an exhibition at the EU Parliament entitled Cancer du sein, faites-vous dépister .
