As part of the Nîmes cancer network, the City and its partners are mobilizing for the fifth consecutive year in the fight against cancers affecting women. Throughout October, numerous actions will be carried out to promote screening for breast and cervical cancers, support patients, and raise funds for accompanying associations.
« The City of Nîmes wishes today to consolidate this dynamic by making the network a strategic consultation space to build a territorial policy for cancer prevention and screening », explains Catherine Fenech, Deputy Mayor for Public Health and Environmental Health.
The rate of Pap smear tests for cervical cancer screening in Nîmes is 73.63%, lower than in the Gard department (76.99%). For breast cancer screening mammograms, the rate is 53.17% in Nîmes, compared to 63.85% in the Gard. Between 2019 and 2023, cancer mortality among Nîmes residents under 75 was significantly higher than the national and Gard averages.
The City federates screening and prevention stakeholders around a cancer network, initiated four years ago. This network includes partners such as the Ligue contre le cancer, the Regional Health Agency (ARS Occitanie), the Regional Center for Cancer Screening Coordination (CRCDC), Health Insurance (CPAM du Gard), ONCOGARD, the University Hospital Center (CHU) of Nîmes, the Departmental Committee for Health Education of the Gard (CODES 30), the Territorial Professional Health Community (CPTS) Nemausa, as well as numerous associations.
The goal is to improve residents' health by developing prevention and promoting organized screenings, with particular attention to populations affected by social and territorial health inequalities. The City of Nîmes supports the promotion of actions carried out by network members, especially during national campaigns like 'Octobre Rose'.
To increase visibility for women's cancer screening, the City of Nîmes will illuminate several emblematic monuments in pink throughout October: the Maison Carrée, the Tour Magne, the Tour de l’Horloge, and the water feature on Avenue Feuchères. A choreographic performance will also be presented.
Beyond 'Octobre Rose', the cancer network develops a year-round strategy for prevention and screening promotion, in professional settings and priority neighborhoods (QPV). Actions are conducted in partnership with prevention services, occupational health, multi-professional health centers (MSP), and associations.
The Léon Vergnole Social Center in the Pissevin Quarter will host a "Women's Health" day on October 16, 2026, offering screenings, appointment scheduling, and information stands with the participation of numerous cancer network partners.
The Mammobile, a mobile breast radiology unit, will be present in Nîmes for free screening of women aged 50 to 74. It will be located on Monday, October 26, in front of the MSP Valsanté (Valdegour Quarter), on Tuesday, October 27, in the Mas de Mingue Quarter (subject to confirmation), on Wednesday, October 28, at the forecourt of the Saint Baudile Church (Gambetta Quarter), and on Thursday, October 29, in front of the André Malraux social center (Chemin Bas d'Avignon Quarter).
