The Tunisian national campaign, Octobre Rose, has begun its operational phase, with events planned across the country's 24 governorates. The campaign aims to promote early detection of breast cancer through free mammography screenings. However, data from 2024 reveals that the program faces significant challenges in accessing mammography services. Despite 281,244 women aged 30-70 receiving clinical breast exams, only 38,853 were referred for mammography, and just 15,491 underwent the procedure.
According to the data, the main reason for the low rate of mammography realization is the lack of human and material resources, particularly in interior regions. The study found that 460 cases of cancer were detected, representing about 3% of the mammographies performed. However, the national coverage rate remains unknown due to limited data. The figures highlight the need for improved access to mammography services, especially in underserved areas.
The data also shows that the volume of clinical exams was particularly high in Kasserine, Sfax, and Gabès. However, these regions also face significant deficits in human and material resources, contributing to the low rate of mammography realization. To address these challenges, additional equipment has been announced for several establishments, including Sfax, Kairouan, Mahdia, and Manouba.
Despite these efforts, a 2021 study found that the median interval attributable to the healthcare system in the diagnostic pathway was 53 days, with 76.4% of patients experiencing delays. While this data is not specific to mammography wait times, it highlights the need for improved efficiency in the healthcare system. To effectively measure the success of Octobre Rose 2026, five key indicators should be tracked: women examined, referrals for mammography, exams performed, median delay between referral and exam, and diagnosis stage.
The Tunisian Ministry of Health has reported 4,400 new cases of breast cancer in 2024, emphasizing the importance of effective screening programs. However, without accurate data on the national coverage rate, it is challenging to assess the program's impact. The Ministry must prioritize data collection and analysis to identify areas for improvement and optimize the screening program.
To overcome the existing challenges, the Tunisian healthcare system must address the shortage of human and material resources, particularly in interior regions. This may involve increasing funding for healthcare infrastructure, recruiting more healthcare professionals, and implementing more efficient diagnostic pathways. By addressing these challenges, Tunisia can improve access to mammography services and reduce the burden of breast cancer.
The success of Octobre Rose 2026 depends on the ability of the healthcare system to translate the number of operations into concrete indicators of success, such as the number of women accessing mammography services and the timeliness of diagnosis. By tracking these indicators and addressing the existing challenges, Tunisia can make progress in promoting early breast cancer detection and improving health outcomes for women.
Key points
- Less than 40% of requested mammographies were performed in 2024.
- The main reason for the low rate of mammography realization is the lack of human and material resources, particularly in interior regions.
- The Tunisian healthcare system must address the shortage of resources and improve the efficiency of diagnostic pathways to increase access to mammography services.
