Gynecological cancer awareness month highlights screening gaps

September Turquoise is a national awareness month dedicated to gynecological cancers, which include diseases affecting the uterus, ovaries, vulva, and vagina. In Guadeloupe, 985 cases were recorded between 2018 and 2022, averaging nearly 200 cases annually. The most frequent diagnosis in the region was uterine corpus cancer, followed by cervical, ovarian, vulvar, and vaginal cancers.

Medical experts highlight the difficulty of early detection, particularly for ovarian cancer. Approximately 75% of ovarian cancer cases are discovered only after the disease has affected nearby organs or metastasized. This is often due to a lack of gynecological follow-up after menopause, which is when the median age for diagnosis is 65.

Prevention efforts face challenges. While organized screening exists for cervical cancer, coverage in Guadeloupe was only 44.5% between 2020 and 2022, significantly lower than the French national average of 59.5% and the 70% health target. Additionally, HPV vaccination rates remain a critical area for increased awareness and uptake.