MEPs Anchya Bamana and Sandrine Dogor-Such table two bills to improve breast cancer screening - Overseas

Two French lawmakers from the Rassemblement National party have submitted separate legislative texts aimed at enhancing breast cancer screening protocols for women residing in overseas territories. Anchya Bamana, representing Mayotte’s second constituency, and Sandrine Dogor-Such, serving the third district of Pyrénées-Orientales, introduced these measures during the ongoing annual October Rose awareness campaign. The proposals seek to address specific disparities in healthcare access and disease onset within France’s ultramarine regions. Bamana filed her resolution proposal in May 2026. Her text advocates lowering the age for mandatory organized breast cancer screening. Currently, the national program targets average-risk women aged 50 to 74 who exhibit no apparent symptoms or particular risk factors. Bamana argues that recent studies reveal significant territorial inequalities, particularly in overseas areas where the median age of disease occurrence is younger. She proposes an experimental, strictly regulated ultra-early screening system based on rigorous scientific criteria to meet identified local needs. Dogor-Such deposited her bill on May 26. This legislation aims to adapt prevention and screening strategies to the realities of various departments, including both overseas and metropolitan areas with low participation rates. She cites persistent barriers such as excessive waiting times for examinations, insufficient radiology capacity, professional shortages, and geographical or social constraints. The proposed legal framework is designed to be simple, targeted, and operational to bridge these gaps. The Assemblée Nationale has not yet scheduled dates to examine either text. Data from the Regional Health Agency’s 2024 Statistical Panorama of Health in Mayotte indicates that four out of five women aged 15 and older have never undergone a screening mammography. When adjusted for equivalent population structures, women in Mayotte are three times more likely to lack this examination compared to their counterparts in mainland France. Abdou Madi, president of the Regional Center for Cancer Screening Coordination in Mayotte, expressed concern over these figures. He noted that approximately 50 new cases of breast cancer are detected annually on the island. According to Madi, breast cancer constitutes the leading cause of cancer-related mortality among women in Mayotte. The submissions highlight the urgent need for tailored medical responses in regions facing distinct epidemiological and logistical challenges. Both deputies emphasized that current uniform standards fail to account for the earlier onset of the disease and the structural difficulties in accessing diagnostic services in remote locations. The legislative process will determine whether these specific adaptations become part of the national health code. Until then, the existing screening guidelines remain in effect for all eligible demographics across the country.