The Burkinabé government officially launched the 2026 edition of Octobre Rose, a nationwide campaign to raise awareness about women's cancers, on October 3, 2026, in Ouagadougou. The campaign's theme, "Every screening is a life saved and every woman's life spared is a family safeguarded," underscores the importance of early detection and treatment. The program seeks to mobilize women for breast and cervical cancer screening and encourage men to support the effort.
The launch ceremony, held in Saaba, was attended by government officials, healthcare professionals, partners, and local populations. Adolphe Thiombiano, president of the special administrative delegation of Saaba, expressed his satisfaction with hosting the event in his commune, emphasizing the need for regular screening. He encouraged women to undergo screening and men to accompany them, highlighting that supporting a spouse during screening is a sign of love.
The Minister of Family and Solidarity, Passowendé Pélagie Kaboré, also participated in the ceremony, stressing the impact of cancer on families and individuals. She noted that breast cancer has become a significant public health issue requiring collective action. Kaboré emphasized the importance of early screening, which is the only way to ensure a cure for those who test positive.
According to the Minister of Health, Dr. Robert Lucien Jean-Claude Kargougou, breast cancer accounts for 55% of female cancers in Burkina Faso. In 2024, 2,100 new breast cancer cases were detected, resulting in 1,035 deaths, approximately three deaths per day. The government aims to improve access to screening through mobile clinics deployed across the country.
Since the deployment of mobile clinics, over 230,000 women have benefited from cervical cancer screening, and more than 30,000 have undergone breast cancer screening. Around two million women have been educated on female cancers and breast self-examination. For the 2026 edition of Octobre Rose, the government targets 6,000 breast cancer screenings and 5,000 cervical cancer screenings and treatments.
The National Cancer Control Program's coordinator, Pr Nayi Zongo, explained that Octobre Rose aims to intensify actions against female cancers, particularly breast and cervical cancer. Activities include sensitization, encouraging adherence to screening, and teaching women breast self-examination. The program will be implemented nationwide, with regional launches and mobile clinics providing services in rural areas.
The government's campaign offers free cervical cancer screening and treatment, as well as free breast cancer screening through mammography. The launch of Octobre Rose 2026 marks the beginning of a national mobilization effort to reduce late diagnoses and their consequences for women and families.
Key points
- The Burkinabé government aims to screen 6,000 women for breast cancer and provide 5,000 cervical cancer screenings and treatments during the 2026 Octobre Rose campaign.
- Breast cancer accounts for 55% of female cancers in Burkina Faso, with 2,100 new cases detected in 2024, resulting in 1,035 deaths.
- The government has deployed mobile clinics to improve access to screening, with over 230,000 women benefiting from cervical cancer screening and 30,000 from breast cancer screening.
