A major advance for the health of law enforcement officers: Cancer screening at the Centre Médical du Policier in Yopougon

Du 25 au 27 novembre 2024, le Centre Médical du Policier de Yopougon a accueilli une campagne de dépistage des cancers féminins et masculins, marquant une étape importante dans la lutte contre cette maladie en Côte d’Ivoire. Cette initiative est mis en oeuvre par le Fonds de Prévoyance de la Police Nationale (FPPN) en partenariat avec le Programme National de Lutte Contre le Cancer (PNLCa) et la Fondation YTO. Elle a permis de sensibiliser et de dépister 304 membres du personnel de la police, dont 176 hommes et 128 femmes.

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The rationale and objectives of the initiative

La Côte d’Ivoire fait face à un taux alarmant de cancers, avec environ 21 352 nouveaux cas enregistrés en 2022 selon GLOBOCAN. Parmi les plus fréquents, les cancers de la prostate, du sein et du col de l’utérus représentent une part importante des diagnostics. Cette campagne vise ainsi à (1) sensibiliser les fonctionnaires de la police sur les risques des cancers; (2) effectuer des dépistages ciblés pour une prise en charge précoce et (3) identifier les prédispositions génétiques et formuler des recommandations pour un suivi médical adapté.

A major screening campaign

Spread over three days, this screening operation included a variety of methods:

1. 1. For women:
      
      • • Breast palpation and teaching of self palpation.
      • • Detection of the HPV virus from cervical swabs, the main agent responsible for cervical cancer.
      • • Suggestion of mammogram for women aged 45 and over.

1. 1. For men:
      
      • • Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) blood test.
      • • Rectal examination carried out by urologists to screen for prostate cancer.

1. 1. Genetic counselling:
      
      • • A questionnaire was used to identify family histories of cancer and individuals with genetic susceptibilities.

Promising results

With 302 people screened, the initial objectives were achieved. On one hand, 125 women were trained in self breast exam and screened for breast and cervical cancer. On the other hand, 177 men aged 40 and over were screened for prostate cancer. Finally, participants with abnormal results were referred to specialized facilities for a further follow-up.

The uniqueness of this initiative

This uniqueness of this campaign is attributed to the integration of a genetic approach by the YTO Foundation. By detecting susceptibilities of hereditary breast and prostate cancer, the genetic approach highlights the importance of personalized preventive medicine.

Future outlook and impact

This campaign demonstrates the commitment of the FPPN and the YTO Foundation to the fight against cancer. Through strategic partnerships and recurring campaigns, these initiatives are raising awareness and facilitating access to screening, thereby contributing to reducing the burden of cancer in the country.

The health of law enforcement officers is an essential pillar of social well-being. This campaign marks a significant step toward cancer prevention, thereby offering a glimmer of hope for early and effective treatment.