Buea Military Hospital Targets 9,000 Women in Free Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Campaign

The Buea Military Hospital has launched a five-day free breast and cervical cancer screening campaign targeting 9,000 women, as health professionals intensify calls for early detection to reduce cancer-related deaths and improve treatment outcomes.

Organised by the Military Medical Centre in Buea from October 12 to 16, 2026, under the theme Pink October, the campaign focuses on women aged 25 and above.

It also raises awareness about preventing human papillomavirus (HPV) infection among children aged nine to 14, given that persistent infection with high-risk HPV types is the primary cause of cervical cancer.

The official launch took place on Tuesday, October 13, at the Buea Military Hospital, where women and girls were encouraged to prioritise their health by taking advantage of the free screening services.

Activities began on Monday, October 12, with a sports walk at the Governor’s Office, followed by an awareness conference at the National School of Local Administration (NASLA).

The activities were designed to educate the public on the importance of early detection, prevention and timely medical care. Military Reaffirms Commitment to Public Health.

Speaking at the launch, Navy Captain Nkotto Petit Paul Orélien, Commander of Military Sector No. 10 in Buea, said the campaign was part of the Ministry of Defence’s civil-military cooperation programme, through which the armed forces contribute to the welfare of the population.

He explained that the initiative was designed to promote early detection of breast and cervical cancers, with the ultimate goal of saving lives through timely diagnosis and treatment.“This initiative demonstrates the commitment of the armed forces to serving the nation and promoting the well-being of the population,” he said.

The commander called on women and girls across the South West Region to turn out for screening at the Military Medical Centre before the campaign ends.“We therefore call on all women and girls in the South-West Region to turn out massively for screening at the Military Medical Centre in Buea during this campaign.

Early detection can prevent complications and save lives,” he urged. Navy Captain Nkotto Petit Paul Orélien added that the medical centre had organised 10 free health campaigns over the past two years, describing the initiatives as evidence of the military’s continued commitment to serving communities.

Medical Experts Emphasise Early Detection, Colonel Dr Noumedem Blanchard, Chief Medical Officer of the 10th Military Health Sector and the Buea Military Medical Centre, said breast and cervical cancer awareness had been selected as a priority for the facility’s civil-military activities during October.

He disclosed that the campaign was being organised in collaboration with the Cameroon Oncology Centre in Douala, which had agreed to support the initiative.“Our objective is to encourage early detection and ensure that more women have access to screening services,” he said.

Colonel Dr Noumedem encouraged residents of Buea and neighbouring communities to participate, noting that detecting cancer at an early stage can improve the prospects for effective treatment.

“I therefore invite the population of Buea and its surrounding communities to participate massively in this campaign. Through early screening, we can detect cancer at an early stage and save lives,” he added.

Dr Mbole Gabrielle, a general practitioner at the Cameroon Oncology Centre, also stressed the importance of timely screening and follow-up care. She explained that the earlier screening is conducted, the sooner patients who require treatment can receive appropriate medical attention.

According to her, patients whose results indicate the need for further assessment are referred to the Cameroon Oncology Centre for additional investigations and treatment, depending on their individual medical needs.

Breast Cancer Remains a Major Health Concern breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women in Cameroon. Figures cited in the campaign background indicate 2,824 new cases and 1,368 deaths, while approximately 75% of cases are reportedly diagnosed at an advanced stage.

Cameroon is also strengthening its response through the 2026–2030 National Breast Cancer Screening Plan, which calls for 30,000 women to be screened beginning this year.

The plan seeks to improve access to screening and increase the chances of detecting cases earlier.Cervical cancer is primarily associated with persistent infection with high-risk types of HPV.

Prevention measures, HPV vaccination and appropriate screening therefore remain important components of efforts to reduce the disease’s impact.

Health professionals continue to stress that screening can help identify abnormalities that may require further investigation, allowing patients to access appropriate care without unnecessary delay.

Women are encouraged to take advantage of free services the Pink October campaign offers in Buea and surrounding communities as an opportunity to access free screening while learning more about cancer prevention, early warning signs and the importance of follow-up care.

With activities scheduled to run until October 16, organisers are urging women aged 25 and above to visit the Buea Military Hospital and take advantage of the services available during the campaign.

For the organisers and participating health professionals, the message is straightforward: early detection can save lives, and seeking medical attention promptly can make a significant difference in cancer care.