THINK PINK – IFMSA-Morocco

Name of the activity: THINK PINK

Country/NMO: IFMSA-Morocco

Program: Healthy Lifestyles & Non-Communicable Diseases

Contact information: contact [email protected] to get in touch with the Activity Coordinator

Type of the activity: Continuous Activity

Category: Campaign

Focus area: Cancer, prevention of breast cancer

Sustainable Development Goals addressed: SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities)

General description:

IFMSA MOROCCO decided at the very beginning of the mandate to involve all of its LCs by paying tribute to women during the month of October by acting with all of the SCORANGELS in order to promote women’s health and raise awareness among the population.

This is a very large national project which had to appeal to the other committees to involve the maximum  of medical students, as well as providing for an incomparable variety of action: training, caravan, campaign, workshops, visit and others.

Problem statement:

“Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Morocco, followed by Cervical cancer. These cancers are often underdiagnosed, which delays in charge of patients and darkens their prognosis. Early detection requires both a good training of medical personnel and a general awareness of the severity of these deadly diseases and the importance of prevention and regular monitoring.

Target groups:

• General population
• Medical students
• Women

Beneficiaries:

• General population
• Medical students
• Healthcare Students
• Other Students
• Youth
• Women

Objectives:

– Practical component: Train at least 50 students in breast palpation, gynecological examination and the production of cervical and vaginal smears

– Theoretical component: Participation of at least 50 students in Women’s Awareness Training

– Produced a micro sidewalk video assessing medical students’ knowledge of breast and cervical cancers

– Educate at least 300 women on the importance of early diagnosis of breast and cervical cancer, by introducing sexual and reproductive health topics (STIs,contraception)

– Media awareness campaign with production of video capsules

– Include at least 50 participants in La Marche rose (solidarity sports competition)

– Train at least 300 women in breast self-examination.

– At least 300 women will benefit from  gynecological consultations with gynecological examination

– Any suspected case of neo breast will have access to breast radiology

– At least 100 women will benefit from cervical-vaginal smears with support for their anapath laboratory analysis

Indicators of Success:

52 students trained in breast palpation, gynecological examination and carrying out

Pap smear at the simulation center

– 58 participants in the Women’s Awareness Training (breast and cervical cancer, STIs, hygiene

intimate, contraception…)

– Micro sidewalk video made with several views on instagram.

– 387 women made aware of the importance of early diagnosis of breast cancer and

cervix, introducing the subjects of sexual and reproductive health (STIs, women’s hygiene and contraception)

– 2 video capsules on pink October produced.

– 56 participants in the Pink March

– 387 women trained in breast self-examination

– 335 women benefited from complete gynecological consultations with gynecological examination and breast palpation

– 177 women benefited from cervico-vaginal smears with support for their anapath laboratory analysis

– Any suspected case of neo breast will have access to breast radiology

Methodology:

– Gynecological examination and breast palpation workshop at the simulation center

– Training led by NORA IFMSA MAROC on screening for breast and cervical cancer

uterine…

– Awareness workshops on the importance of early diagnosis and prevention (breastfeeding, vaccine against HPV, STI, feminine hygiene, etc.)

– The pink march: organization of a sports day to raise awareness of screening. This Challenge which takes the

form of a 1.5 kilometer foot race, with the participation of 56 members, allows

spread a public health message and collect donations.

• Challenge the “”Think pink wears pink”” Instagram story to maximize impact
• Organization of the caravan:

      Female registrations per group of 20

      Sorting: Distribution of pink leaves in October

      Group awareness room on screening practical demonstration on breast palpation.

      Gynecological consultation with breast examination, speculum examination and vaginal smear.

Plans for evaluation:

Monitoring and analysis of caravan results:

– Caravan of sidi moumen:

• 100% of women benefited from breast palpation (121 women)
• 56 cervical smears for HPV detection made and analyzed: 1 positive case

detected

• 18 clinically detected breast abnormalities (nodules, breast discharge, nipple umbilication, mastodynia and presence of nevus)
• 25 anomalies detected during the gynecological examination (lesions, bleeding, ectropion, leucorrhea, etc.)
• 34 women referred for echo mammo screening.
• 5 women referred to the University Hospital for colposcopy
• 1 scheduled MRI for a patient classified as acr 4 on echo mammography to upgrade or underclassify the lesion and define management

– Mohammadia Caravan:

• 100% of women benefited from breast palpation (214)
• 121 cervical smears for HPV detection performed

• Availability of ultrasound mammography and colposcopy on site for patients

suspected cases

• Analysis of results in progress

External collaborations:

Oum Keltoum Foundation, youth centers, UM6SS, FMPC, maternity service of

the harouchi hospital (CHU ibn rochd), Association Amal cancer mohammadia, Glab Laboratory,

Sponsors: Bottu Foundation. Pharma 5 Foundation, Camtec, Sidi Ali