October Rose Momentum in Pointe-Noire
At dawn on Pointe-Noire’s Wild Coast, a sea of pink and white shirts gathered as Congo-Brazzaville marked the finale of October Rose. The public event, organized by local NGO Elan de cœur, aimed to turn awareness into collective movement.
Organizers estimated about 200 residents, students, and civil servants participated, showing how breast cancer concerns now transcend age, class, and profession in the oil capital. Some arrived at dawn from Tié-Tié district, others from coastal villages, turning the boulevard into a long ribbon of solidarity.
City officials, citing Health Ministry data, note breast cancer accounts for nearly a quarter of female malignant tumors nationwide, but screening rates remain below 20%.
The 8.5 km Route That United a City
The walk followed an 8.5-kilometer loop designed to showcase the city’s contrasts—from the wind-swept beach to the office towers of Charles-de-Gaulle Avenue and the bustling Mpita roundabout.
Onlookers leaned from balconies as drummers kept rhythm near Elais, while vendors at Kactus paused morning sales to applaud the relay of runners, walkers, and wheelchair users.
Police escorts kept traffic flowing smoothly but discreetly—coordination the prefecture described as proof that “public safety and public health can walk together” in a coastal metropolis often facing congestion.
Doctors Amplify Early Screening Message
At the finish line, a gynecologist reminded participants that most breast tumors detected early are curable. “Look for the smallest abnormality, perform monthly self-exams, and consult without delay,” he urged, noting that Pointe-Noire’s A. Cissé Hospital now offers reduced-cost ultrasounds every Friday.
The doctor’s call aligns with a national strategic plan to establish regional screening units by 2027. Funding discussions with the African Development Bank are underway.
A 38-year-old survivor shared a quieter testimony, recalling a 2019 diagnosis that forced her to choose between chemotherapy in Brazzaville or treatment abroad. “Community events kept my spirit alive,” she whispered as volunteers embraced her.
Civil Society’s Expanded Health Agenda
For Elan de cœur’s president, the walk delivered both symbolic and practical dividends. Corporate partners committed to 2,000 free screening vouchers, and mobile operators offered bulk SMS alerts with early warning signs.
“Every step taken today equals hope for a woman and her family,” the president told the crowd, her voice amplified by the ocean wind. She called participation an antidote to the fear that often delays hospital visits.
The NGO, founded in 2022, has expanded its agenda to include alcohol abuse and smoking cessation.