The Monaco Screening Centre celebrates its 10th anniversary!

Written by: Dr Henri VINTI, lead doctor

The sovereign ordinance which established the Monaco Screening Centre (CMD) was published in the Journal de Monaco on Friday 13 July 2012. Though this seems fairly recent, it is important to remember that the Centre’s origins actually date back to 1988 and the creation of the Free and Anonymous Screening Centre (CDAG), a mark of the Prince’s Government’s commitment to tackling HIV infection, which was rising rapidly at the time. Since then, the Centre’s remit has gradually expanded, with the aim of playing an active role in public health policy in the Principality of Monaco.

The creation and development of the CMD

Breast cancer screening campaigns were organised from 1994, often in conjunction with charities. The opening of the Princess Grace Hospital Breast Screening Centre in 2014 enabled these campaigns to be run more effectively, thereby increasing the number of women getting checked regularly. Due to its high incidence and mortality rate, colorectal cancer was the next focus of organised screening campaigns, which began in 2006 with the first-generation Hemoccult tests before adopting, in 2017, an immunological test offering better performance in terms of both sensitivity (nearly four times as many cancerous or pre-cancerous lesions detected) and acceptability (just one sample required, compared to six for Hemoccult). In 2009, osteoporosis screening was introduced for women aged 55 to 80 years. Finally, in 2011, screening for cervical cancer was introduced for young women aged 25 years or over alongside an effort to prevent this cancer by sending out systematic invitations to parents inviting them to have their daughters aged between 11 and 14 years vaccinated against the papillomavirus. This vaccination programme was extended to boys in the same age group in 2021.

What types of screening are covered?

The CMD as created in July 2012 and as it continues to function today includes the CDAG, which is responsible for screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, hepatitis B, syphilis and hepatitis C, which is known to be highly prevalent in the population. We also hope to be able to expand screening to cover additional STIs in the future. The CMD may also occasionally take part in targeted screening campaigns in the form of special days (e.g. for melanoma or diabetes). Finally, the CMD plays a role in providing young people with information about STIs and offering education to the Institute of Nurse Training (IFSI) and the Institute of Care Assistant Training (IFAS). Operating under the supervision of the Direction de l’Action Sanitaire but located at Princess Grace Hospital on Level -1 of the Louis II pavilion, the CMD is open from 8 am to 5 pm, Monday to Thursday, and 8 am to 3.30 pm on Fridays. The doctors and staff are available to answer any questions you may have.

Dedicated effort to develop the CMD spanning 16 years

Celebrating this anniversary also offers an opportunity to thank my predecessor, Dr Daniel ROUISON, who led the Centre for 16 years and helped to develop it, and Dr Philippe PASQUIER, who is still in post and has specific responsibility for managing the active file of colorectal cancer screening patients.

Get screening in Monaco

The CMD has not been immune to the impact of the health crisis over the last two years, and has seen its visitor levels fall significantly for all the reasons that you might easily imagine. We hope that with an improvement in the health situation, as uncertain as it may be, this anniversary will be the opportunity for a new start. The entire team would like to wish you a great summer and, whether today or after the holidays, consider…coming in for screening!