The Association comorienne de lutte contre le cancer chez la femme (ACCF) launched the Octobre Rose 2026 campaign on September 19 at the Retaj hotel in Moroni. The event brought together representatives from the health sector, the Centre hospitalier national El-Maarouf, and members of the association. ACCF President Zahara Abdallah presented the campaign's objectives, schedule, and challenges in the fight against women's cancers.
The campaign, which will run from October 5 to November 5, aims to encourage women to undergo screening for breast and cervical cancers. Screening sessions will be organized in Ngazidja and Ndzuani, with locations including the Centre d'imagerie du Dr Soimihi in Moroni, the Chn El-Maarouf, and the polyclinic du Dr Abdel Kader in Mutsamudu. In Mwali, screening will take place from October 20 to November 20 at the Centre d'imagerie du Dr Simon in Fomboni.
To make screening more accessible, the ACCF has reduced the costs of examinations. The tariffs are set at 15,000 kmf at El-Maarouf, the polyclinic du Dr Abdel Kader, and the Centre d'imagerie du Dr Simon, compared to 17,500 kmf at the Centre d'imagerie du Dr Soimihi. The ACCF also plans to open a new imaging center in Mwali, which will enable women on the island to undergo imaging tests without having to travel to other islands.
The campaign includes various activities, such as a sports day on October 17 at the Alliance française, followed by a gala evening on October 24 at the Retaj. The campaign will conclude on November 7 with the Marche Rose. The ACCF has also announced that it will provide a permanent presence at the Centre d'Animation Socioculturelle de Mtsangani (Casm) to inform and guide women during the campaign.
Since its inception, the ACCF has organized around 150 awareness-raising sessions on the three islands, financed 1,732 mammograms and breast ultrasounds, and provided 331 cervical smears. In 2025, 450 women benefited from screening, with the ACCF covering the costs of 385 examinations. The screenings identified nine suspected cases, including three confirmed cases.
Despite progress, the ACCF highlights several challenges, including access to diagnosis, treatment, and medical evacuations. The issue of anatomopathology remains a significant problem, with some samples needing to be sent abroad for analysis, resulting in additional costs and delays. The ACCF aims to strengthen existing capacities and develop the necessary means for more comprehensive and accessible cancer care in Comoros.
The ACCF President emphasizes that screening is only the first step, and that detected anomalies must be followed by adapted diagnosis and care. The association also seeks to reinforce support for patients at an advanced stage of the disease and welcomes the introduction of HPV vaccination since 2025 as an essential means of preventing cervical cancer. The ACCF has also created the ACCF Junior to involve young people in raising awareness about women's cancers.
Key points
- The Octobre Rose 2026 campaign aims to promote women's cancer screening and early detection in Comoros.
- The campaign includes various activities, such as screening sessions, sports day, and a gala evening.
- The ACCF has reduced the costs of examinations to make screening more accessible.
