Tunisia is celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month, also known as Pink October, with the theme "Screening is your responsibility, and the rest is ours." The campaign aims to emphasize the importance of early detection and to promote a culture of prevention. According to the Ministry of Health, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Tunisia, accounting for 30% of all cancers.
The Ministry of Health reported that the incidence of breast cancer in Tunisia is approximately 52 cases per 100,000 women. In 2024, 4,400 new cases of breast cancer were diagnosed, with a tumor mass of 3mm, down from 6.5mm in 2001. The ministry aims to reduce the tumor mass to less than 2mm through education and screening campaigns, which would improve the quality of life for patients and reduce healthcare costs.
The Ministry of Health highlighted the common signs and symptoms of breast cancer, including a lump in the breast, usually painless, nipple discharge, and changes in the color and texture of the skin. Women are encouraged to perform regular self-exams and consult a doctor if they notice any unusual changes. The ministry also recommends annual clinical exams by a doctor or midwife, regular physical activity, quitting smoking, and a balanced diet.
As part of the Pink October celebrations, the Ministry of Health is organizing various awareness and education activities. These include breast cancer screening at primary healthcare centers, patient education, and awareness days. A national strategy for breast cancer screening will be discussed at a training day on October 17, 2026.
On October 7, 2026, a day of awareness and screening will be held in the workplace, and on October 13, 2026, a similar event will be organized for students and staff at the Ibn Sina School of Nursing. The events are being held in partnership with the Tunisian Association of Midwives and the Regional Health Directorate.
The Ministry of Health has also launched an initiative to support women who have undergone breast removal surgery. The initiative, "From Diagnosis to Treatment," aims to provide reconstructive surgery and will be launched on October 21, 2026, at the Burn Hospital in Ben Arous.
A caravan for awareness and screening will also be organized in partnership with the Regional Health Directorate in Kef and the Tunisian Association of Midwives. The events aim to promote early detection and prevention of breast cancer and to improve the quality of life for patients.
Key points
- The Ministry of Health aims to reduce the tumor mass to less than 2mm through education and screening campaigns.
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Tunisia, accounting for 30% of all cancers.
- The Ministry of Health has launched an initiative to support women who have undergone breast removal surgery.
