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Breast cancer screening in Hérault
Despite campaigns like Pink October, breast cancer screening remains unevenly practiced in Hérault. Each year, Pink October highlights the importance of breast cancer screening, a preventive measure that saves lives. However, in Hérault, women’s participation in screening remains lower than expected, particularly in rural areas where access to care is limited. While Montpellier, a pioneering city in terms of health, displays encouraging results, territorial disparities slow down the overall impact of screening throughout the department. Between awareness, local initiatives and logistical challenges, the fight against breast cancer continues.
Expert testimonies
We spoke with Professor William Jacot, oncologist at the Montpellier Cancer Institute, and Dr Marian Gutowski, surgical oncologist at the ICM and specialist in breast cancer, radiologist specializing in mammography, to better understand the situation and the solutions envisaged.
The current situation of breast cancer screening
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Dr Gutowski explains that the situation in Montpellier is rather satisfactory, thanks to the high density of medical infrastructure, prevention and awareness campaigns. However, if we take into account the entire Hérault department, the screening rate is lower, below the national average. The Covid-19 pandemic has also worsened the situation, causing a drop in the testing rate. These alarming figures show that nearly 6 out of 10 women do not participate in screening, particularly in rural areas and small isolated communities.
The differences between Montpellier and rural areas
Dr. Gutowski explains that women in Montpellier have easier access to care, with numerous radiology centers, clinics, and hospitals. In addition, awareness of screening is greater, notably thanks to the events organized as part of Pink October. On the other hand, in rural areas of Hérault, medical infrastructure is rarer, which makes access to screening more difficult. In addition, there is often a lack of information and awareness in these areas, which means that some women do not see the importance of having this examination regularly.
Psychological reluctance to screening
Professor Jacot emphasizes that screening can generate significant anxiety, because it involves looking for a problem even before symptoms appear. Many women prefer not to undergo this examination for fear of the result. In addition, some women fear heavy treatments if cancer is detected. There is also the idea that mammography is an unpleasant or even painful examination for some patients.
Importance of getting tested despite fear
Professor Jacot explains that early detection increases the chances of curing breast cancer. Cancers detected at an early stage have a cure rate greater than 90%. In addition, mammography can detect abnormalities that are not palpable, that is, tumors that are so small that they do not cause any symptoms. Without screening, these cancers would go undetected for months or even years until they become more serious.
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Improving access to screening in rural areas
Professor Jacot explains that a solution implemented in Hérault is the use of mammobiles, mobile screening units which travel to rural areas of the department. This makes it possible to bring screening directly to where women live, in remote villages or small communities, rather than forcing them to travel long distances to get to a radiology center.
The care pathway in the event of detection of an anomaly
Dr. Gutowski explains that when an abnormality is detected during a mammogram, the patient is invited to carry out additional tests. If a suspicious tumor is identified, a biopsy will be performed to determine if it is cancerous. If the diagnosis of cancer is confirmed, a treatment pathway is put in place, depending on the size of the tumor, its type and the stage at which it was detected.
The effect of Pink October on screening
Dr Gutowski emphasizes that Pink October helps to take the drama out of screening and allows women to understand that being screened does not automatically mean receiving a negative diagnosis. Awareness raising continues to remind all women, particularly in Hérault, that screening is a matter of prevention and health protection.
In conclusion, breast cancer screening remains unevenly practiced in Hérault, with disparities between urban and rural areas. It is important to continue to raise awareness and facilitate access to screening for all women, in order to improve the chances of recovery and reduce the impact of treatments on quality of life.
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