Progress and Persistent Challenges for the ACCF

For six years, the Comorian Association Against Women’s Cancer (ACCF) has been increasing its prevention efforts.

On September 27, its President, Zahara Abdallah, launched a new edition of “Pink October,” a campaign dedicated to the fight against breast cancer.

This disease affects many Comorian women and remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. Early screening, however, offers a high chance of recovery, exceeding 90%. Hence the importance of raising awareness among women and facilitating access to screenings.

Since 2019, the association has hosted more than a hundred talks in various regions, organized thousands of mammograms and breast ultrasounds, and monitored several patients through its annual campaigns. Each edition brings together an average of 150 consultations, a significant effort despite limited resources.

The ACCF, however, faces major challenges. The interruption of the health agreement with Mauritius is blocking the evacuation of patients requiring specialized care. Many patients are still waiting for a solution. The organization is calling for a rapid resumption of this cooperation to save lives.

The country also suffers from a critical lack of adequate infrastructure. Due to the lack of an anatomic pathology laboratory, samples must be sent abroad, increasing costs for families. The closure of the service previously available at El-Maarouf Hospital is exacerbating this vulnerability. The ACCF is urging health authorities to strengthen local care to ensure dignity and support for patients.

For the current edition, the association is covering mammograms for women in Mwali, an island still lacking medical imaging. The organization is also preparing new projects: collaboration with Inrape, opening a branch in France, launching a website, and acquiring educational busts for teaching self-examination.