177P Results of the recent nationwide breast cancer screening in Cameroon

Among the 2.3 million women diagnosed with breast cancer each year worldwide, 3900 cases occur in Cameroonian women, 90% of which arise at advanced stage. Most of the women die because of lack of good diagnostic technique, good treatment and medical insurance and they are managed by traditional healers. Our Program has 24 years of experience in cancer screening in Cameroon. Recently, the Ministry of Public Health of Cameroon decided to stress the National Cancer Control Plan in the country. The aim of this study is to present the results of the recent nationwide breast cancer screening in Cameroon. Last year, during the Pink October month, the Ministry of Public Health of Cameroon under the leadership of the National Cancer Control Committee, organized a national breast and cervical cancer screening in the whole country. Women were asked to come to different health facilities for a free screening; Awareness was made through social media, television and radio. 35 non-governmental organizations, public and private health facilities were all involved for this National Campaign; it was the first campaign in the country to reach this level of awareness. Breast palpation was performed free of charge for all women who came and mammography was offered on payment only in one center in the capital city. Three centers also offered HPV tests for cervical cancer screening while other health facilities offered IVA/ VILI free of charge. 150000 women were reached and 14.000 underwent breast palpation. No male came for screening even if is known that 40 cases of breast cancer arise in Cameroonian men each year. 100 cases of breast cancer were reported, 50% were old patients who have been diagnosed several years before. Fine needle aspiration was the diagnostic confirmation technique; 80% of the women were less than 40 years old. Biopsy was performed for ten women. Immunohistochemistry was done in one case. 8 women underwent staging using imaging; no PET scan or bone scintigraphy is available in the country. Five women underwent total mastectomy. Three women refused treatment and went to traditional healers where one died. It is necessary to rely on cost-effective alternative screening methods, thus adapted to our economic context, such as clinical breast examination.