Success for the women's cancer screening day in Saint-Affrique

Les sages-femmes fières de sensibiliser les Saint-Affricaines. Midi libre – M. B.

The Saint-Affricaines answered the call for this meeting organized as part of Pink October at the maternity ward.

A triumph for a first with 39 women who went to the maternity ward throughout the day of October 3 for training in breast self-palpation and for cervical-genital smears, as part of Pink October. “I'm here for the self-palpation, it's long ? It's good what you do, really!”,exclaims one of the first arrivals as she timidly advances into the maternity ward, guided by pink balloons.

An anatomy lesson

There, a smiling and friendly team of midwives and maternity assistants welcome them with a coffee or tea. In a basket, pink ribbons in the form of pins and bracelets to take away. The atmosphere is peaceful and conducive to free exchanges. Also present, Hélène Delmas, public health nurse and mission delegate for the Aveyron branch of the Regional Cancer Coordination Center of Occitanie. At the origin of this day, she approached the maternity and the whole team felt motivated for this adventure. Hélène Delmas explains to the participants: “Here are two large cardboard drawings showing a cross-section of a breast and a uterus with small circles. The goal is to position the small cardboards in the right place.” Two women do it together while laughing and succeed.

Then they fill out an 18-question quiz to test their knowledge of the two cancers, breast and uterus: the preventable risk factors for breast cancer, breast cancer screening consists of…, the anti-papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination is recommended from what age ?… Hélène Delmas combats some preconceived ideas. “Breast size has nothing to do with cancer and yes, breastfeeding plays a protective role.” The bust placed on a table serves as a support for a dialogue. “What do you see that seems abnormal to you ?”, asks the mission delegate. People discern a bump, an orange peel appearance, an asymmetry that becomes more pronounced… Then Hélène Delmas details at length the self-palpation techniques, position of the arms and hands, finger pressure. She warns: “This self-examination does not replace mammography because the latter reveals lesions of 3-4 millimeters, undetectable at the fingertips. If you feel an abnormality, do not hesitate."

Another focus this Thursday, October 3, cervical-vaginal smears for the prevention of uterine cancer from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., the eight slots were taken immediately! Christine Moro, midwife, responsible for gynecological monitoring for eight years, is delighted and reassures the disappointed: "No worries for those who missed this day, every Friday, I can see them from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., smears are free and without advance payment." Audrey Cros, midwife and maternity coordinator concludes: "Not only did all the women who had booked honor their appointment, but Christine was able to make two more! We can rejoice, this first was a great success."