Cancers of the breast and cervix are the leading causes of death among women in Africa. They represent in the majority of developing countries  serious public health problems, more so as they particularly touch an active portion, that of the women from 35 to 40 years of age. Cancer of the Cervical Area is much more common among people who start intercourse young, probably because immaturity and promiscuity leads to a high rate of genital warts. Also triggered by untreated sexually transmissible diseases (STD), the cancer of the cervix uteri  accounts for 20 to 30% of the cancers listed for women. Breast cancer, in the other hand, constitutes in Senegal the second reason for medical consultation after the cancer of the cervix, with a rate bordering the 25%.

     The leading cause of the rapid increase of these diseases in Senegal is especially dependent, according to the specialists, with a very late doctor visit of the women. In the majority of the cases thus, the women are consulted at a very advanced stage of the disease. A stage where the treatment becomes palliative, expensive with a reduced chance of cure. Vis-a-vis this situation, the National Association of the midwives of  Senegal (Ansfes) has set up a partnership with the Italian Co-operation, a Project of fight against cancer. A project whose official launch was carried out last on Saturday October 4 2008, the National school of medical and social development (Endss), allowed the members of Ansfes, the health authorities and the health professionals to review a certain number of problems related to the  testing and early detection of genital cancers.

    The President of Ansfes Marième Fall stated at the opening ceremony, “This Project of fight against genital cancers coupled with the urban and rural sensitizing, will allow for a  maximum of women to be tested”.